Team India faces a mix of good and worrying news ahead of their crucial fourth Test against England, with star pacer Jasprit Bumrah expected to return while young bowler Arshdeep Singh has sustained a hand injury.
Bumrah Set for Crucial Comeback
India’s ace fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, is all but confirmed to play in the upcoming do-or-die Test match against England. This highly anticipated return comes as India trails 2-1 in the series, making the Manchester Test a must-win.
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate hinted strongly at Bumrah’s inclusion. He noted that with the series on the line, there’s a clear lean towards playing their spearhead in this critical fixture.
Arshdeep Singh Suffers Hand Injury
On the other hand, Team India has been hit with a fresh injury scare involving pacer Arshdeep Singh. During a net session in Manchester on Thursday, Arshdeep suffered a cut to his bowling hand.
The incident occurred when he attempted to stop a ball hit by batter Sai Sudharsan on his follow-through. The medical team immediately assessed the injury to determine if stitches would be required, casting doubt on his availability.
Arshdeep, who hasn’t yet made his Test debut, was in contention for a spot if the team management decided to rest another paceman. His potential debut now hinges on the severity of this new injury.
Coach Doeschate confirmed the incident, stating, “Arshdeep took a ball while he was bowling there, Sai hit a ball and he tried to stop it and it’s just a cut. So we have to see how bad the cut is.”
Wider Injury Concerns Remain
The team is already managing ongoing injury concerns, particularly with wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. Pant was struck on his left index finger during the Lord’s Test while collecting a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah.
He did not keep wickets for the remainder of that match. However, India’s captain Shubman Gill has expressed confidence that Pant will be fit and ready to play in the fourth Test, which begins on July 23.
- Jasprit Bumrah is highly likely to feature in the vital fourth Test against England.
- Pacer Arshdeep Singh cut his bowling hand during nets, putting his potential debut in doubt.
- Rishabh Pant is expected to be fit despite his ongoing finger injury.
- India needs to win the Manchester Test to level the series.
With the series on the line, the fitness of key players will be crucial for India’s chances in Manchester.
