Kolkata: The Indian cricket team is facing a significant challenge in its pace bowling department as it heads into the fourth Test against England in Manchester, with two key bowlers ruled out and another battling an injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Monday that all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and fast bowler Arshdeep Singh will miss crucial upcoming matches.
Nitish Kumar Reddy has been sidelined for the remainder of the series due to a left knee injury and will return to India immediately. “All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the remaining two Tests owing to a left knee injury. Nitish will fly back home and the team wishes him a speedy recovery,” the BCCI stated in a media release.
Adding to India’s woes, Arshdeep Singh has sustained a left thumb injury, ruling him out of the Manchester Test. “Arshdeep Singh has been ruled out of the fourth Test against England at Manchester. He sustained an impact injury to his left thumb while bowling in the nets at a training session in Beckenham. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress,” the statement read.
These setbacks, coupled with a groin niggle that Akash Deep is currently battling, mean India’s pace bowling resources are severely depleted.
In response to the mounting injuries, the BCCI has added Anshul Kamboj to the squad. Kamboj, a 24-year-old right-arm seamer, has previously been part of the India A squad and impressed during the two unofficial Tests against England Lions. In the second match, he not only took four wickets but also scored an unbeaten 51 in a crucial 149-run partnership with Tanush Kotian. Notably, Kamboj also made headlines last year by becoming only the third Indian to achieve the rare feat of taking all ten wickets in an innings in the Ranji Trophy, against Kerala.
Reddy’s absence might force India to reconsider their team combination, potentially bringing back Shardul Thakur as the medium-pace all-rounder. Thakur featured in the opening Tests, while Reddy bowled in the subsequent two, including a notable performance at Lord’s where he took three wickets and scored 30 and 13 runs. The inclusion of Kamboj also provides another option for the team management.