As anticipation builds for the fourth Test of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, Shubman Gill-led Team India, who are trailing 1-2 in the five-match Test series, took time out to engage in a special cross-sport interaction with football giants Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. The two teams met just days before the crucial Test match begins on July 23 at the iconic stadium.
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Describing the experience as `very exciting`, Gill reflected on the opportunity to connect with world-class athletes from a different sporting discipline. In a video shared by the BCCI on X, Gill said, “Very exciting to be able to meet top athletes in the world from another sport. To get to know their stories is very inspiring. How two sports, you`re playing two different sports, but the mindset that you play with is most of the time very similar.”
United in Manchester.🤝 #TeamIndia | @adidas | @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/zGrIqrcHKG
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 20, 2025
Head coach Gautam Gambhir also shared his thoughts, noting that his previous visit to Old Trafford in 2014 didn’t offer the same level of personal engagement. “I`ve been here in 2014 as well. This is a completely different experience because you end up chatting with the players. You end up chatting with Ruben as well, which was a nice interaction. What his ideology is towards team sport and what my ideology is towards team sport. The basic foundation of a team sport is very similar. Where I feel that I think it`s the players that adapt to what the team needs, rather than the team that adapts to a certain individual,” Gambhir said.
Vice-captain Rishabh Pant presented a signed cricket bat to Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes as a gesture of goodwill. Meanwhile, in a light-hearted moment, pacer Mohammed Siraj was seen bowling to defender Harry Maguire, drawing smiles from players of both camps.
The third Test at Lord’s ended in heartbreak for India, who lost by just 22 runs despite being in control for large stretches of the game. The match ended in dramatic fashion when Siraj was dismissed in unfortunate circumstances, bowled after the ball rolled back onto his stumps, leaving Ravindra Jadeja stranded at the other end.
Jasprit Bumrah was a standout performer in that contest, claiming seven wickets, including a five-for in the first innings. His return for the Manchester Test has already been confirmed by teammate Siraj, providing India with a much-needed boost as they aim to level the series.
