Arshdeep Singh's injury has reportedly thrown a spanner in India's plans.
Team India is facing a host of injury and workload issues for its fast bowlers. With Jasprit Bumrah having played 2 out of his three Tests for this series already and Akash Deep injuring his back in the Lord’s Test, it was expected that Arshdeep Singh would finally get a chance in the 4th Test in Manchester.
However, the left-arm pacer suffered a cut to his bowling hand, for which he got stitches, and now the Indian team is left finding alternatives in their fast-bowling unit ahead of the Manchester Test, which begins on July 23.
According to The Times of India, Akash Deep, the hero for India in Edgbaston, is reportedly battling a recurring back problem that has resurfaced. He struggled to finish his spells during the second innings at Lord's and is still unlikely to start Wednesday's fourth Test.
Anshul Kamboj, a Haryana pacer, has already been called up by the team management to fill in for Arshdeep and Akash Deep, who are both injured. Jasprit Bumrah will play in Manchester with the series at stake, according to the report.
"Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep won't be playing together in the remaining two Tests. It was decided before the tour that Bumrah would only play three Tests in this series, and now with Akash's back niggle flaring up, we can't see both of them playing in the XI together. If Bumrah plays in Manchester, then Akash will sit out. At The Oval, Akash will replace Bumrah," a source tracking the development told the Times of India.
With a 10-wicket haul, Akash Deep was brilliant as India defeated England by 336 runs at Edgbaston to tie the series. He returned with amazing match numbers of 10/187 after taking 4/88 in the first innings and then a brilliant 6/99 in the second.