Old Trafford, Manchester:
India’s hopes of levelling the five-match Test series against England took a severe hit on Sunday as injuries to three key players Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh disrupted their preparations for the crucial fourth Test in Manchester, starting July 23. With the series tilted 2-1 in England’s favour after India’s defeat at Lord’s, the Old Trafford clash becomes a must-win game for the visitors.
🚨 Squad Update: Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out of the series. Arshdeep Singh ruled out of fourth Test 🚨
The Men’s Selection Committee has added Anshul Kamboj to the squad.
More details here – https://t.co/qx1cRCdGs0 #TeamIndia #ENGvIND
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 21, 2025
Major Injury Setbacks
India’s injury crisis deepened when all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out after sustaining a ligament injury during a gym training session. A subsequent scan confirmed significant damage, effectively ending his tour.
Pacer Akash Deep, who had starred with a 10-wicket match haul in India’s thumping win at Birmingham, is also unlikely to play in Manchester after struggling with a groin issue during the Lord’s Test.
Meanwhile, left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh, who was hit on his bowling hand during a net session, required stitches and is expected to be out for at least 10 days. He has been ruled out of the fourth Test and is doubtful even for the series finale at The Oval starting July 31. In response, selectors have added Anshul Kamboj as a cover.
Impact on India’s Playing Combination
With Nitish ruled out, Shardul Thakur is the frontrunner to return to the XI. The Mumbai all-rounder last played the series opener in Leeds but was dropped after a modest performance with both bat and ball. However, his experience and ability to contribute in both departments make him a logical replacement.
Akash’s absence puts the spotlight firmly on Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, whose workloads had been closely managed until now. The setback means Bumrah will almost certainly feature in the Manchester Test, partnered by Siraj.
Selection Dilemmas and Backup Options
To compensate for the depleted pace unit, Harshit Rana could be drafted in. The young Delhi pacer was included in the squad just ahead of the Headingley Test following his impressive performances for India A. Another option is to hand a debut to Anshul Kamboj, who impressed in the last Ranji season and in India A fixtures. However, this could raise questions, considering Harshit was the original backup selection.
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A third scenario would be to bolster the spin attack by including Kuldeep Yadav. This move, though popular among fans, seems unlikely under head coach Gautam Gambhir’s strategy, especially since Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar both spin-bowling all-rounders—are already in the XI. Dropping one of them for a specialist spinner might compromise team balance, especially with the pace unit already thin.
Rishabh Pant’s Fitness Update
Vice-captain Rishabh Pant, who suffered a finger injury at Lord’s, eased concerns around his availability by posting a training video on social media. Captioned “If calm had a sound, it would be this,” the post showed Pant engaged in fielding drills, football, and even batting practice. While he was replaced by Dhruv Jurel as wicketkeeper at Lord’s, Pant’s active training hints at a potential return for the Manchester Test.
India’s path to a series-leveling win in Manchester has grown steeper with multiple injury setbacks. The team management now faces tough decisions to balance experience, form, and fitness in their selection. With the fate of the series hanging in the balance, all eyes will be on how India reshuffles its playing XI for the must-win clash at Old Trafford.
