The excitement for India Vs England 4th Test 2025 is at its zenith as Shubman’s army enters the penultimate clash with England at Old Trafford, Manchester. The visitor country is suffering from plenty of injuries to its key players that might not only strengthen the host’s team but also derail their ambitions.
India is already behind 1-2, and now its seam bowling unit resources are tense. Three pivotal players like Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh will not play the 4th Test, prompting a reshuffle within the team. Selectors are now thinking of bringing Anshul Kamboj as injury cover.
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Our blog also highlights the latest injury developments, emphasizing its impact on Team India’s performance, and how India can fine-tune its squad for the 4th Test series.
Key Injury Developments
1. Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out
- During a gym drill in Manchester on July 20, Nitish Reddy suffered a knee ligament injury, confirmed by scans showing significant damage.
- The injury is expected to sideline him “at least 10 days,” making him unavailable not only for Manchester but potentially also for the final Test at The Oval.
- His absence removes a crucial all‑round option: Reddy had impressed in the Lord’s with wickets of both openers and a gritty lower-order contribution.
- The media is highlighting his knee scare as a “massive blow” just before the Test, leaving team management recalibrating their strategy.
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2. Akash Deep doubtful
- Right-arm seamer Akash Deep, instrumental in squaring the series at Edgbaston with a 10-wicket match haul, now reports a groin niggle.
- He looked off-color at Lord’s, struggling to find rhythm and leaving the field on Day 4 for treatment.
- With both Arshdeep and Akash potentially ruled out, India risks fielding a weakened seam attack.
3. Arshdeep Singh injured
- The promising left‑arm pacer Arshdeep Singh (who has not yet debuted in this ongoing series) suffered a deep cut on his bowling hand. He got this injury during a training session at Beckenham.
- He needs proper medical attention and the injuries required stitches, ruling him out of the Manchester Test. There is also a doubt about his availability for the final test at the Oval.
- Team management confirmed the injury has thrown the playing XI completely into limbo.
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Reinforcements: Anshul Kamboj Called Up
To cover the injury crisis, the BCCI has drafted in 24‑year‑old Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj.
- Uncapped at Test level, Kamboj joins the squad as backup for both Arshdeep and Akash Deep.
- Known for his aggressive bounce and bounce generation, he impressed in India A matches, including a four-wicket spell vs. England A at Northampton.
- First-class credentials include 34 wickets in six Ranji Trophy games, leading to a ten-wicket haul in an innings during the 2024–25 Duleep Trophy.
- He has IPL experience, as he played for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 and the Chennai Super Kings in 2025. He knows how to deal with red-ball circuits.
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Strategic Implications for the XI
With three seamers out, India faces key selection decisions:
Role | Impact | Possible Response |
Pace attack | Losing both Akash Deep and Arshdeep limits options | Rotate Bumrah, Siraj, plus possibly Prasidh Krishna or Shardul Thakur |
Seam-allrounder | Reddy’s absence removes lower-order bowling bite | Consider recall of Shardul Thakur or deepening batting |
Cover bowlers | Kamboj’s inclusion gives fast backup flexibility | Use as 12th man or in XI if needed due to form/injury |
Workload management | Bumrah & Siraj may face burn-out | Rotate pace resources carefully |
Looking Ahead
1. Final XI structure
- Expect a pace battery of Bumrah, Siraj, and possibly Prasidh Krishna or Shardul Thakur, with Kamboj on standby.
- With Reddy gone, the all-rounder slot likely isn’t filled, Jadeja and Kuldeep take left-handed spin roles with batting depth.
2. Bench strength test
- This series tests India’s bench, spotlighting whether second-tier players like Kamboj or returning veterans like Thakur and Krishna can step up.
3.Tournament stakes
- Trailing 1–2, the 4th Test offers India a critical chance to level the series at 2–2. With injuries, team selection and temperament will be pivotal.
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Conclusion
India faces a pivotal challenge at Old Trafford. Losing Nitish Reddy to a knee ligament injury removes a promising all-round asset. Akash Deep’s groin issue and Arshdeep Singh’s hand injury further strain India’s bowling bench.
The inclusion of Anshul Kamboj provides depth, yet the team must recalibrate their pace unit, balance all-round options carefully, and manage workload for frontline bowlers. This Test could define the series narrative, and with England eyeing a 3–1 lead, it’s do-or-die for India.
For the latest updates, line‑ups, and fantasy projections, check MyChamp11; you won’t want to miss the final word before first-ball on July 23.