Will Akash Deep's Injury Impact India's Chances in the 4th Test?
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Synopsis
In a crucial turn of events, India's hopes in the 4th Test against England are tested as Akash Deep is sidelined with a groin injury. Captain Shubman Gill's announcement opens the door for debutant Anshul Kamboj. Can India maintain their lead in the series? Discover the latest updates.
Key Takeaways
- Akash Deep out due to injury.
- Uncapped Anshul Kamboj may debut.
- Jasprit Bumrah to lead the bowling attack.
- Weather could influence team selection.
- India aims to maintain series lead.
Manchester, July 21 (NationPress) India’s injury challenges during their tour of England have intensified, as captain Shubman Gill announced that fast bowler Akash Deep will be unavailable for the fourth Test at Old Trafford due to a groin injury. The highly anticipated match in the five-Test series is set to commence on Wednesday, with England currently leading 2-1.
Prior to this development, India was already missing Arshdeep Singh, who had been ruled out of the Manchester Test, along with Nitish Kumar Reddy, sidelined for the remainder of the series. This latest blow significantly weakens India's pace attack and opens up the opportunity for uncapped Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj to potentially make his international debut.
“Akash Deep has a groin niggle and is not available for this match. Anshul Kamboj is very close to making his debut,” stated Gill on the eve of the match.
Kamboj, who was recently called up as injury cover, has shown promise during India’s practice sessions and could be positioned as the third seamer. The final decision between him and Prasidh Krishna will be made on match day.
On a positive note, India will be reinforced by the presence of Jasprit Bumrah, expected to spearhead the bowling attack. This marks Bumrah’s third appearance in the series, as arranged by the team management.
The weather in Manchester may also play a role in determining India’s final XI, with potential rain interruptions that could relieve some pressure on bowlers over the five-day match. Anshul Kamboj and Shardul Thakur are also in contention to support Bumrah in the pace lineup, while Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja are likely to handle the spin duties.
India faced a defeat in the first Test at Headingley in Leeds but bounced back to secure a victory in the subsequent match at Edgbaston in Birmingham. They regained the lead in the series by winning the third Test at Lord's with a narrow 22-run margin.
Here is India’s squad for the fourth Test:
Shubman Gill (capt), Rishabh Pant (vc & 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, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj.
Point of View
It is imperative that we recognize the resilience and spirit of the Indian cricket team amidst adversity. While injuries pose significant challenges, they also present opportunities for emerging talents like Anshul Kamboj. We stand by our team, committed to supporting their journey in this competitive series.
NationPress
22/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Akash Deep not playing in the 4th Test?
Akash Deep is unable to play due to a groin injury, as confirmed by captain Shubman Gill.
Who is Anshul Kamboj?
Anshul Kamboj is an uncapped fast bowler from Haryana, who is in line to make his international debut in the 4th Test.
What is the current series score between India and England?
England leads the five-Test series 2-1 after India won the third Test at Lord's.
When does the 4th Test start?
The 4th Test is scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
How does the weather affect the match?
Possible rain interruptions in Manchester could ease the strain on bowlers throughout the match.
