India came into the fourth ODI at Old Trafford on 30 August 2007 looking to keep the seven-match series alive. England had already taken a 2-1 series lead and this was a must win game at Manchester. India batted first and scored 212 in the first innings. The openers struggled but the middle order managed to put together enough runs to give the bowlers something to defend. On a used Old Trafford surface, 212 was a competitive target. England's chase got off to a difficult start as they lost early wickets.
India kept picking up wickets and never allowed England's batsmen to settle for too long. Right arm medium pacer Ajit Agarkar was particularly effective, finishing with four wickets for 54 runs. England's chase was beginning to look increasingly tough as the wickets continued to fall. Paul Collingwood tried to steady the innings and scored 47, but his dismissal came at an important stage.
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England then slipped further into trouble and when the seventh wicket fell, the home side were 114 for 7. At that point, India were firmly in the driving seat. England still needed 99 runs from 84 balls with only three wickets remaining. That was when Ravi Bopara joined Stuart Broad at the crease. Broad was only 21 at the time and was a young bowler finding his feet in international cricket. Bopara was also still establishing himself in the England side.
Bopara and Broad rotated the strike, picked up singles and got regular boundaries. India were unable to finish the job as the partnership passed 50, then continued towards three figures. Bopara and Broad completed an unbeaten 99-run partnership for the eighth wicket. England chased down 213 for 7 with 12 balls remaining, winning the match by three wickets and taking a 3-1 lead in the series. Broad finished unbeaten on 45, while Bopara made 43 not out. Broad had also taken four wickets for 51 earlier in the match and won the Player of the Match award.
