Injury crisis hits India ahead of crucial Manchester Test

Trailing 1-2 in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, India’s quest to find the right combination ahead of the potentially series-deciding fourth Test in Manchester, starting Wednesday, has suffered a major blow. Seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the remainder of the series due to a knee injury.

To make matters worse, uncapped left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh has also been ruled out of the Old Trafford Test after sustaining an impact injury to his left thumb during a net session in Beckenham. With fellow pacer Akash Deep also nursing an injury that could rule him out of the match, the Indian team management will be hoping for a swift recovery.

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The BCCI confirmed that Reddy will return home, while the medical team continues to monitor Arshdeep’s recovery. The board also announced the inclusion of Haryana seamer Anshul Kamboj in the squad. Kamboj, who impressed during the India ‘A’ tour of England, has already joined the team in Manchester.

“All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the remaining two Tests owing to a left knee injury. He will fly back home and the team wishes him a speedy recovery,” read the BCCI’s statement.

Reddy featured in the Indian XI during the Edgbaston and Lord’s Tests. Though he had minimal impact at Edgbaston—scoring just two runs and going wicketless—he delivered a solid performance at Lord’s. In the third Test, he played a key role, dismissing England openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley in the same over and contributing 30 and 13 runs across the two innings.

For Arshdeep, who has been on the bench throughout the series, the wait for a Test debut has now been prolonged.

“Arshdeep Singh has been ruled out of the fourth Test against England at Manchester. He sustained an impact injury to his left thumb while bowling in the nets during a training session in Beckenham. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress,” the release stated.

Adding to India’s concerns are workload management issues surrounding pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who is expected to play only three of the five Tests. Bumrah featured in the first and third Tests, and the management has indicated they are “leaning towards” including him at Old Trafford after an eight-day break between the third and fourth Tests.

The decision to draft Kamboj as a cover may have been prompted by uncertainty over Akash Deep’s fitness.

“The men’s selection committee has added Anshul Kamboj to the squad. Kamboj has joined the team in Manchester,” the BCCI added.

Kamboj featured in both three-day warm-up matches, claiming five wickets and scoring a half-century in the second game. He also had a standout domestic season, becoming only the third bowler in Ranji Trophy history to take all ten wickets in an innings. He will be eager to make use of the swing-friendly English conditions if given the opportunity.

India were already grappling with injury concerns before these latest developments. Vice-captain Rishabh Pant sustained a thumb injury in the third Test. The 22-year-old Reddy was in contention for the fourth Test but may have faced competition from Dhruv Jurel, who could take over wicketkeeping duties if Pant, recovering from a finger injury, plays as a specialist batter.

Reddy’s exit may pave the way for a return for Shardul Thakur, who played in the first Test at Leeds but failed to impress.

India’s Updated Squad for the Fourth Test:

Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj.