Injuries to Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh force India to consider debutant Anshul Kamboj for the 4th Test. Karun Nair is likely to return, possibly batting at No. 3 or 6.
Manchester | July 23, 2025: As India gears up for the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester starting Wednesday, captain Shubman Gill has shared major updates on the playing XI, injury setbacks, and potential debutants.
Fast bowler Akash Deep has been ruled out of the match due to injury, while Anshul Kamboj, a promising pace option, is close to making his debut. With Arshdeep Singh also injured post the third Test, India’s pace options have taken a hit. Gill said the final choice for the bowling spot will be between Prasidh Krishna and Kamboj.
“It’s never easy when players get injured. Nitish [Kumar Reddy] is out of the series, and now Akash won’t be available either. But we still have bowlers who can take 20 wickets. Kamboj is ready and we’re considering him,” said Gill.
Kamboj’s name had raised a few eyebrows, but Gill backed the youngster, drawing parallels with Akash Deep’s earlier selection, who silenced critics with a 10-wicket haul in Birmingham.
Meanwhile, on the batting front, Karun Nair is set to make a comeback into the playing XI after eight years, with Gill confirming that Nair has been batting well in the nets and is mentally prepared. While there is a possibility that Sai Sudarshan might return to the XI in place of Nitish Kumar Reddy, Nair’s position in the batting order is still undecided.
If Sudarshan returns, Karun Nair may bat at No. 6, but if not, Nair could occupy the crucial No. 3 spot. Despite inconsistent scores in the ongoing series—0, 20, 31, 26, 40, and 14—Gill remains confident in Nair’s ability to play a big knock once he settles in.
“Karun didn’t get to bat in his preferred position earlier. But there’s no issue with his technique. Once he crosses 50, he’s capable of going big,” Gill added.
As anticipation builds, Team India is expected to finalize its XI only on match day, with a focus on balancing youth and experience amidst the injury-driven reshuffle.
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