Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra questioned the inclusion of pacer Anshul Kamboj into the Indian squad ahead of the fourth Test against England in the ongoing five-match series. The fourth Test of the series will be played in Manchester on July 23 onwards.

The Indian camp was hit by fitness issues ahead of the forthcoming Manchester Test against England, beginning Wednesday, July 23.

Arshdeep Singh was ruled out of the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy due to left-thumb injury, while Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the series owing to a knee injury.  Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj has been officially added to the India squad.

However, former India opening batter Aakash Chopra has now raised issues over Kamboj's inclusion in the squad, stating “there is no clarity” whatsoever over the Indian team management.

Earlier, before the series against England began, the team management asked Harshit Rana to stay back in England as a backup. At that time, many felt Anshul Kamboj was the ideal pick because of his performances in the India A series versus England Lions.

Rana was then sent back following the completion of the first Test, which England won by five wickets. Now that injuries have been revealed, Harshit Rana is not in the picture as the management has opted to go in with Anshul Kamboj.

Chopra feels that since Harshit Rana was selected earlier, he should have been picked now as well for continuity.

“It's very interesting. There was a lot of chatter about Anshul Kamboj. He did well for India A as well, but when there was an opportunity earlier, the team management chose Harshit Rana first. Anshul was sent back home, and now we are learning about his name again,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

“Harshit Rana is not there. Now you have to wonder, what actually goes on? How do you determine who to keep and who to let go of? If you talk about performances for India A, Anshul's performance was better, but you kept Harshit Rana looking at continuity,” he added.

Chopra also questioned Gautam Gambhir and the Indian team management about the lack of clarity regarding the selection of players for the squad.

“If that was the case, then you should have kept Harshit Rana now as well. But he is not there; Anshul Kamboj is there. No clarity whatsoever. Maybe the management knows, but nobody is telling us anything. This comes as no surprise. Anshul Kamboj was deserving; he is now with the team,” Chopra concluded.

The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy is currently led by England as they are 2-1 ahead.