IND vs ENG: Akash Deep undergoes fitness Test before 4th Test at Old Trafford; Morne Morkel closely monitors pacer
NEW DELHI: Team India is grappling with a spate of injuries ahead of their must-win fourth Test against England, set to begin at Old Trafford in Manchester on July 23.
Young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the remainder of the series, while left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is also sidelined for the fourth Test after sustaining a hand injury in the nets.
Arshdeep required stitches on his bowling hand after being struck by a shot from Sai Sudharsan.
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Despite the setbacks, India appear to be banking on their in-form pacer Akash Deep, who is currently nursing a groin niggle.
The right-arm quick impressed in the second and third Tests at Birmingham and Lord's, respectively.
EXCLUSIVE: Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out of England Test series
As reported by TimesofIndia.com on Monday, Akash Deep is undergoing a fitness assessment under the supervision of bowling coach
Morne Morkel
and the team physio ahead of the fourth Test.
He was seen bowling a few deliveries — including some from James Anderson's end — with Morkel closely monitoring and the physio observing from the sidelines.
A day after
TimesofIndia.com reported that all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy
would not take any part in the remainder of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed the news.
Why Team India came to Manchester from London via train and walked in rain
"All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the remaining two Tests owing to a left knee injury.
Nitish will fly back home and the team wishes him a speedy recovery," BCCI said in a statement.
"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 at a training session in Beckenham. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress," read the BCCI press release.
Early Sunday morning, TimesofIndia.com also reported that Haryana seamer Anshul Kamboj has been added to the Indian squad as cover for Arshdeep's injury.
"The Men's Selection Committee has added Anshul Kamboj to the squad. Kamboj has joined the team in Manchester," BCCI confirmed in the release.
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