India have suffered yet another injury blow as Akash Deep has been ruled out of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford.
ENG v IND: Akash Deep ruled out of Old Trafford Test
Akash Deep suffered a groin injury during the Lord’s Test, even needing treatment on the fourth day, though the extent of the niggle was not confirmed at the time. Ahead of the Test, India added fast bowler Anshul Kamboj as a cover for the last two Tests that will be played at Old Trafford and Oval.
India’s injury concerns are on the rise as the series heads towards an exciting finish. The visitors were sweating over the fitness of Rishabh Pant following a blow to his finger that saw him play as a specialist batter at Lord’s for more than one-and-a-half innings. However, he has been declared fit to keep wicket. Nitish Kumar Reddy has already been ruled out of the series due to a knee injury, while Arshdeep Singh, who is yet to make his Test debut, will miss the fourth Test.
Akash Deep, who picked up a ten-for at Edgbaston in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, along with Mohammed Siraj, who got six in the first innings, led a sensational turnaround at a venue where India had not yet won a game.
Confirming the injury to the Bengal pacer, Shubman Gill said at the press conference: “Akash Deep is unavailable, so is Arshdeep but we have good players in the team to pick twenty wickets. It is not ideal to have different bowlers but I was prepared.”
He also hinted that Kamboj, who has 79 wickets from 24 first-class games at 22.88, could make his debut tomorrow.
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