Injury Woes Hit India as Arshdeep Singh, Nitish Reddy Miss Out, Anshul Kamboj Joins Test Squad

While Team India has been hit by an unexpected injury crisis, England's only absence ahead of the fourth Test is spinner Shoaib Bashir.

Injury Woes Hit India as Arshdeep Singh, Nitish Reddy Miss Out, Anshul Kamboj Joins Test Squad

Anshul Kamboj added to the squad as cover for injured Nitish Kumar Reddy and Arshdeep Singh (Image via News 18)

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Team India’s hopes of making a comeback in the fourth Test of their five-match series against England has encountered a major setback, in the form of an untimely injury crisis. Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the series, while Arshdeep Singh is set to miss the Manchester Test.

The Indian Test side, led by newly appointed skipper Shubman Gill, is already under pressure after their heartbreaking last-gasp defeat to England in the third Test at Lord’s. Despite being in a comfortable position heading into the final innings chase, the Men in Blue failed to reach the modest target of 193 runs, losing by just 22 runs. This defeat has given the home side a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

As the Men in Blue seek to find the ideal team combination to level the series by winning the fourth Test in Manchester, they have encountered a significant obstacle due to a string of injuries. Young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy adds to the injured list, having unfortunately been ruled out of the series due to a serious left knee injury. The 22-year-old is now flying back to India for his recovery and rehabilitation.

While Reddy sat out the series opener against England in Leeds, Reddy was included in the playing XI for the next two matches. Despite a quiet outing at Edgbaston, his display at Lord’s was commendable, where he finished with three wickets and 43 runs across both innings. Reddy was considered an almost irreplaceable figure for the fourth Test playing XI until this recent injury setback.

While the exact circumstances surrounding Reddy’s injury remain unclear, sources suggest it may have occurred during a mobility training session. Compounding India’s injury woes, Arshdeep Singh is also set to miss the Manchester Test. The 26-year-old has been ruled out after sustaining an impact injury to his left thumb while training in Beckenham. He reportedly suffered a cut on his left hand while attempting to block a shot in the nets from Sai Sudharsan, further delaying his Test debut for India.

Amidst these injury struggles, the Indian team management has decided to call up young Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj as a replacement for the remainder of the series. Kamboj has already joined the team in Manchester, as it comes just a month after he impressed selectors with his strong display in two practice matches for India ‘A’ against England ‘Lions’, where he ended with five wickets at an average of 26.20.

Thereafter, it remains to be seen who will ultimately make the squad for the must-win clash at Old Trafford, especially with India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah also managing his workload. The team might well hand Kamboj, his well-deserved debut.

Akash Deep Likely to Miss Out on the Manchester Test Due to a Groin Injury

Team India’s unlikely bowling hero at Edgbaston was Akash Deep, who ended with a ten-wicket haul across both innings. However, ahead of the fourth Test in Manchester, there are concerns the pacer might miss the match due to a groin niggle he picked up at Lord’s.

Akash Deep injury
Akash Deep could miss out playing the fourth Tests, due to a groin injury. (via Hindustan Times)

In the latter stages of the fourth day’s play, the 26-year-old was seen holding his hip in pain after bowling his eighth over. He even left the field for a period, eventually returning later, but did not bowl another over. Akash Deep did undergo fitness tests under the supervision of bowling coach Morne Morkel and physio Adrian Le Roux, but his inclusion in the playing XI in Manchester remains uncertain.

With Anshul Kamboj now added to the squad as cover, it appears likely that Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kamboj could form the pace attack. Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna are the other fast-bowling options, and either of them could be selected if needed.