India Faces England in Crucial Fourth Test Amid Injury Challenges
India's Upcoming Test Against England
On Wednesday, July 23, Team India is set to compete against England in the pivotal fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 at Old Trafford, Manchester. Currently, the Shubman Gill-led squad is behind in the series, trailing 1-2 following a defeat at Lord's.
Injury Setbacks for Team India
Before the Manchester Test, Team India faced significant injury issues. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out for the remainder of the series due to a left knee injury sustained during a gym session in Beckenham. He participated in the second and third Tests at Edgbaston and Lord's but will miss the upcoming matches at Old Trafford and The Oval.
Additionally, Arshdeep Singh will not play in the fourth Test due to a left thumb injury incurred during practice at Kent County Cricket Ground. To bolster the squad, young pacer Anshul Kamboj has been added. Akash Deep, who played a crucial role in India's historic win at Edgbaston, is also recovering from a groin injury sustained during the Lord's Test.
Potential Changes in the Playing XI
Given the injury crisis, changes to the playing XI from the Lord's Test are anticipated. A key question is whether Kuldeep Yadav will be included in the lineup.
Kuldeep Yadav's Test Career
Kuldeep Yadav's journey in Test cricket has been inconsistent, with limited opportunities despite his impressive performances. Since his debut in 2017, he has played only 13 Tests, while England's spinner Shoaib Bashir has participated in 19 Tests since debuting against India in February last year.
In his 13 Test matches, Kuldeep has taken 57 wickets, including four five-wicket hauls and three four-wicket hauls. Despite his strong record, he has struggled to secure a consistent spot in the team. His last Test appearance was in October against New Zealand, after which he was sidelined due to a groin injury.
Kuldeep's Selection Uncertainty
Due to injury, Kuldeep was not selected for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia but returned to the Test squad for the series against England. However, he has yet to make it into the playing XI.
In the Headingley Test, only Ravindra Jadeja was chosen as the spinner, while Washington Sundar and Jadeja were preferred in the Edgbaston and Lord's Tests, focusing on batting depth.
Strategic Decisions Ahead of the Fourth Test
The finalization of the playing XI remains uncertain due to injury concerns and the need for a strategic reevaluation. Kuldeep's inclusion hinges on whether the management opts for a different spin bowling strategy. Reports suggest he is being considered for the Manchester Test.
Former England pacer Steve Harmison has advocated for Kuldeep's inclusion, noting that the Old Trafford pitch may favor spinners as the match progresses. However, he emphasized that India would need to drop either Ravindra Jadeja or Washington Sundar to accommodate Kuldeep.
Opportunities Arise After Reddy's Injury
With Nitish Kumar Reddy out of the series, the No. 6 position in the playing XI is now open. The management may choose to promote a specialist batter or include Kuldeep as a third spinner.
Shardul Thakur and Karun Nair are also in contention for the spot, especially if Sai Sudharsan is brought back into the lineup. This could further complicate Kuldeep's chances unless the team decides to adopt a three-spinner strategy on a pitch expected to assist spin from Day 3 onward.
Final Thoughts on Team India's Strategy
The decisions regarding the playing XI for the crucial fourth Test at Old Trafford, where India has yet to secure a victory, will likely depend on the team's willingness to take a strategic risk by incorporating a three-spinner setup, potentially making Kuldeep an X-factor as conditions evolve.