India’s Mohammed Siraj all but confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah will be in the playing XI for the upcoming 4th Test match between the visitors and England at Old Trafford in Manchester. Bumrah, who India had announced will play 3 Tests out of 5, has already played the 1st Test at Leeds and the 3rd Test at Lord’s. India, however, lost both those two matches, winning the second Test at Edgbaston with the series 2-1 in favour of England going into Manchester.
“Jassi bhai will play as far as I know, our combination is changing day by day (due to injuries),” Siraj told reporters.
Asked about the plans specific to next game, he replied: “Our plan is to keep bowling in good areas considering how England play. We want them to play with patience like they played in the last match. We felt good about playing proper Test cricket,”
With Arshdeep Singh ruled out of the Manchester Test due to a hand injury, India have added seamer Anshul Kamboj to the squad. Nitish Reddy has also been ruled out of the entire series due to a knee injury, forcing the team to rejig its combination.
Siraj also confirmed that Bengal seamer Akash Deep was suffering from an issue with his groin.
“Akash Deep, he has a groin issue, physios are examining. He bowled in the morning as well. Yet to get feedback from physio. Anshul has come in now that Arshdeep is injured. Good luck to him,” Siraj said.
Meanwhile, India will also be without fast-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy who has been ruled out of the remainder of the series owing to a left knee injury and will fly back home.
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India was handed a gut-wrenching 22-run loss in the third Test at Lord’s as England took a crucial 2-1 lead in the five-match Test series. They had won the first Test at Headingley by five wickets before Shubman Gill’s spirited effort at Edgbaston gave India their first win over the visitors. After the Manchester Test, both teams will travel back to London again for the last Test at The Oval.
