India to play 4th Test against England without Nitish and Arshdeep

The Indian cricket team's preparations for the 4th Test match against England have been dealt a significant blow, with all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and seamer Arshdeep Singh reportedly ruled out due to injuries. This double setback adds to India's growing list of concerns, further complicating their team selection and balance ahead of a crucial match in the series. The absence of these two players, particularly Reddy who impressed in the last Test, will force the team management to re-strategize their playing XI.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, who showcased a commendable performance in the Lord's Test last week, suffered a serious knee injury on July 20. According to sources, the all-rounder damaged a ligament during a gym session on Sunday, rendering him unavailable for the upcoming fourth Test match of the series. This injury is a significant concern, especially given his recent impactful contributions with the ball.

Adding to India's woes, seamer Arshdeep Singh, who is yet to make his Test debut, has also been ruled out of the Manchester Test. Sources confirm that Arshdeep sustained a hand injury during a training session, sidelining him from a potential debut and further depleting India's fast-bowling options. This means India's problems are compounded as they are unlikely to have the services of Akash Deep as well, who put up a match-winning performance in Birmingham.

Reddy’s injury is highly likely to disrupt the team's balance. The Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder had replaced Shardul Thakur in the second Test match, providing a crucial all-round option. While he did not make an immediate impact in Birmingham, his contributions were vital in the 3rd Test, particularly with the ball, where he provided crucial top-order breakthroughs in the first innings, showcasing his value to the team.

The continuous stream of injuries has become an additional concern, exacerbating the team's ongoing issues related to workload management for its key pacers. Star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has already played two out of his promised three Test matches for the series, raising questions about his workload going forward. Furthermore, Mohammed Siraj is also reportedly on the brink of burnout, considering his non-stop workload in red-ball matches since 2024, indicating a larger problem for India's pace battery.