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India camp rocked by injury crisis: How team combination could change after Nitish Reddy, Arshdeep Singh blow
Team India's preparations for the fourth Test against England in Manchester have taken a big hit with multiple injury concerns. The BCCI confirmed on Monday that all-rounder of the remaining two matches due to a left knee injury.
Meanwhile, pacer Arshdeep Singh has also been ruled out of the Old Trafford Test after suffering a thumb injury while bowling in the nets at Beckenham. The fourth Test at Old Trafford, starting July 23, is a must-win for India, who trail 1-2 in the five-match series after losing at Lord's.
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The injuries have created a major selection headache for the team management, including captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir. According to The Indian Express, pacer Akash Deep, who starred with a 10-wicket haul in the second Test, is struggling with a groin niggle and remains doubtful.
Shardul Thakur back in contention
The injury list has forced India to rethink their playing XI. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar were crucial for balancing the side, and with Nitish out, Mumbai all-rounder Shardul Thakur is likely to return. He played the series opener at Leeds but was dropped after a modest show with bat and ball.
Arshdeep's injury will also put extra pressure on team management, who may now have to look to Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj to deliver for the remainder of matches. Meanwhile, uncapped pacer Anshul Kamboj has been added to the squad and may come in to replace Akash Deep.
There is also a possibility of Kuldeep Yadav getting his first game of the tour. However, that would leave India weak in the pace department, as the team already has two spin-bowling all-rounders - Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. One of them might have to sit out to accommodate a specialist spinner.
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However, nothing has been confirmed as of yet, and the final playing XI is likely to be revealed right before the fourth Test. India are expected to make at least two forced changes to replace Nitish and Akash.
India's predicted playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
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