Team India continues to face mounting injury concerns as all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the remainder of the England tour. The news comes just days before the crucial fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester, set to begin on July 23. Reddy’s exclusion adds to India’s growing list of injury troubles, with pacers Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep also uncertain for the upcoming match after sustaining training injuries.
According to team sources, Nitish Reddy suffered a ligament tear in his knee during a gym session. Subsequent scans confirmed the injury, making him unavailable for both the fourth and fifth Tests of the series. His absence leaves a gap in the team’s all-round options at a time when India is already grappling with multiple fitness concerns among key players.
Reddy’s Short Stint on Tour
Nitish Reddy featured in the second and third Tests after missing the series opener in Leeds. His performances with both bat and ball, however, were underwhelming. In the second Test at Edgbaston, he scored just a single run in each innings and failed to take a wicket. During the third Test at Lord’s, he showed some improvement, scoring a total of 43 runs and picking up three wickets across both innings. Still, these contributions were not enough to make a lasting impact on the match or the series standings.
The extent of his injury became clearer after he missed the team’s net session on Sunday, joining other senior players such as Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, and Washington Sundar in skipping training that day. While some of those absences were for rest and workload management, Reddy’s omission was injury-related, and he was not seen with the team during later activities.
Anshul Kamboj Joins the Squad
In response to Reddy’s injury, Anshul Kamboj has been added to the Indian squad. The promising pacer joined the team ahead of the Manchester Test and was present during the team’s visit to Manchester United’s training facility, where the Indian contingent met with players from the football club. During the visit, India’s vice-captain Rishabh Pant presented a signed cricket bat to Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes. In a light-hearted moment, Mohammed Siraj even bowled a few deliveries to United defender Harry Maguire. Despite the team’s visible camaraderie during the visit, Nitish Reddy was notably absent from the gathering.
Pace Bowling Concerns Ahead of Old Trafford Test
Team India’s pace attack is under scrutiny as both Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep remain uncertain for the fourth Test. Arshdeep is dealing with a thumb injury sustained during a training session, while Akash Deep’s status is still being monitored due to a separate fitness issue. With these injuries mounting, there is growing speculation about whether Jasprit Bumrah, who has shouldered a heavy workload in the series so far, might be rested to manage his long-term fitness.
The team management faces a crucial decision in finalizing the bowling unit, especially as they trail the five-match series 2-1. India’s chances of leveling the series rest heavily on fielding a fully fit and balanced lineup at Old Trafford.
Recap of Lord’s Test and Series Context
India’s defeat in the third Test at Lord’s came despite having dominated several sessions of the match. A bizarre dismissal of Mohammed Siraj, where the ball bounced off the pitch and rolled into the stumps, symbolized the team’s misfortune. Ravindra Jadeja was left stranded as India fell short by 22 runs in what turned out to be a heartbreaking loss. Jasprit Bumrah was a bright spot in the contest, claiming seven wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings, underlining his continued importance to India’s bowling lineup.
As the fourth Test approaches, India must regroup quickly. With the series still alive, a win in Manchester would tie the contest at 2-2 and set up a dramatic decider. However, the growing list of injuries could make this task even more challenging, and team selection will be closely watched in the coming days.
