India’s fourth Test preparations took a hit this weekend as fast bowlers Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh picked up injuries that may rule them out of the Old Trafford match starting July 23. (Also read: Nitish Reddy Injured, Out of England Tour Before Fourth Test)
Akash Deep, who was key in India’s win at Edgbaston, is dealing with a groin niggle. Arshdeep Singh, yet to make his Test debut, injured his bowling hand during training in Beckenham on Thursday. He and the other sidelined player have traveled to Manchester but did not bowl in the latest practice session.
In response, selectors have called up Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj as a cover option for the remaining two matches of the series. India trails 2-1 in the five-match series after England’s 22-run win at Lord’s.
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate acknowledged on Thursday that Arshdeep’s fitness was already complicating team strategy. With Akash Deep also in doubt, team management faces difficult choices heading into the must-win fourth Test.
Akash Deep’s status had been uncertain since the Lord’s Test, where he left the field for treatment on Day 4 and bowled just one wicketless spell. He was seen doing fitness drills under trainer Adrian Le Roux but stayed away from bowling or batting.
Arshdeep’s injury appeared to be more sudden. At training, he joked about bowling extra that day to make up for lost time, only to walk off later with his hand taped. It’s unclear if he needed stitches, but the injury likely ends his chance of debuting in Manchester.
India now must reassess whether to bring back Jasprit Bumrah. Ten Doeschate suggested the team was leaning that way, but said final decisions would depend on Bumrah’s condition, weather conditions, and how the rest of the bowling unit is holding up.
Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has carried a heavy workload so far, playing all three Tests. His management is also under scrutiny. Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur remain the other fast-bowling options in the squad.
India has called up a new face for the squad: 24-year-old Anshul Kamboj, who got the nod after a standout performance on the India A tour in England. In one game at Northampton, he was the star with both ball and bat, grabbing four wickets and sharing a 149-run partnership that secured a draw.
This move comes as India sweats on the fitness of two key fast bowlers ahead of the crucial fourth Test. It’s their last real shot to level the series, and it looks like we’re about to see what their bench strength is really made of.
