New Delhi: India will take on England in the series-deciding 4th Test at Old Trafford in Manchester, starting Wednesday, July 23. England are currently leading the five-match series 2-1 after their thrilling victory at Lord’s and will be looking to hand the visitors a decisive blow in Manchester. India have never won a Test match at the venue, but will have to breach the fortress this time around to save the series.
India are dealing with multiple injuries in the build up to the crucial encounter. While all-rounder Nitish Reddy has been ruled out of the remainder of the series, Arshdeep Singh is out of the 4th Test. Pacer Akash Deep is also dealing with a groin injury and is unlikely to make the cut in the playing XI for the series-decider in Manchester.
Anshul Kamboj has been roped in as a cover by the Indian team and the pacer can straightaway make his Test debut for India in the 4th Test. Kamboj can be ideal replacement for Akash Deep, offering great control with the ball and the ability to extract seam movement. The choice would be between Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna for the third pacer’s slot.
Jasprit Bumrah is likely to play the 4th Test and will spearhead the pace atatck alongside Mohammed Siraj. With Reddy out of the series, India can also bring back Shardul Thakur in the playing XI as a direct replacement for the all-rounder and use him as the fourth pacer in the game. Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja are set to retian their respective spots.
Dhruv Jurel to feature?
There is a strong chance that Dhruv Jurel might get the nod in the playing XI for the first time in the series as India are also sweating over Rishabh Pant’s fitness. Pant sustained a finger injury during the third Test at Lord’s and didn’t keep wickets after leaving the field. Though, the left-hander batted in both innings of the Test match.
Pant was spotted keeping during India’s first outdoor session in Manchester, but it remains to be seen if he will keep the wickets in the 4th Test. If he is unfit to keep wickets, Jurel can be used as a keeper with both featuring in the playing XI. However, if Pant is fit to keep wickets, India might consider replacing inconsistent Karun Nair with Sai Sudharsan.
Jurel might come in place of Nair if both him and Pant are kept in the XI. There are no other major changes expected in the batting line-up. KL Rahul will continue to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal, with skipper Shubman Gill batting at no.4. Pant will take the no.5 slot if he plays, with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar following him at no.6 and 7 respectively.
India’s predicted XI for 4th Test against England:
Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan/Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj