India’s fast-bowling resources were dealt a significant setback on Monday, as Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out of the remainder of the England tour with a knee injury, while Arshdeep Singh will miss the fourth Test in Manchester due to a hand injury.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed Reddy’s withdrawal but did not provide specific details regarding the injury. However, ESPNcricinfo reported that the 22-year-old sustained a ligament injury during a gym session on Sunday.
Reddy, who featured in two of the three Tests so far in the series, will return to India for further assessment and rehabilitation.
Arshdeep Singh’s hopes of making his long-awaited Test debut have been dashed once again after the 26-year-old suffered an injury to his left thumb during a training session in Beckenham.
“He sustained an impact injury to his left thumb while bowling in the nets,” the BCCI said in a statement. “The BCCI medical team is monitoring his progress.”
To bolster the depleted pace unit, uncapped right-arm fast bowler Anshul Kamboj has been drafted into the squad as cover.
Adding to India’s bowling concerns is the continued absence of seamer Akash Deep, who is nursing a groin injury. The spate of injuries may force India to play pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in the Manchester Test, which begins on Wednesday.
Team management had planned to carefully manage Bumrah’s workload following his back surgery earlier this year, with the pacer initially earmarked to play just one of the remaining two matches.
With England leading the five-match series 2-1, the fourth Test at Old Trafford becomes pivotal in India’s bid to level the series.
