The Indian cricket team is preparing to implement three changes to its lineup for the 4th Test against England, scheduled to begin in Manchester on Wednesday. As injuries strike key players, the management faces tough decisions. Fast bowler Anshul Kamboj is primed to make his debut, stepping in for the injured Akash Deep, while Shardul Thakur is expected to take over the pace-bowling all-rounder role previously held by Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is ruled out of the series due to injury.
B Sai Sudharsan, who was dropped following a lackluster performance in the series opener at Leeds, is also anticipated to be reintroduced into the XI. Sudharsan’s recent training sessions, despite rainy conditions, included dedicated shadow practice, indicating his readiness to contribute.
Captain Shubman Gill spoke to the media about Karun Nair’s position, suggesting that Nair’s struggles at the crease have not deterred the team’s confidence in him. With a series of modest scores behind him, including a disappointing 0 in the first match, Gill highlighted the challenge of performing under pressure after a comeback: “We think Karun is batting well… Sometimes it’s also about getting that click, you know.” This indicates the coaching staff’s belief that Nair can still deliver when he finds his rhythm.
Should Sudharsan earn a place in the starting XI, it remains unclear who he would replace, as there is a possibility Nair could retain his position despite his recent challenges. Another consideration for the team management might be to include an additional batter by possibly dropping Washington Sundar.
The likely lineup for India features: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar/Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Anshul Kamboj.
This upcoming Test presents an opportunity for the Indian team to showcase resilience despite injuries and bolster their performance against England. With players like Sudharsan looking to capitalize on a second chance, fans can look forward to an exciting match-up.