England vs India, 4th Test: Selectors have added THIS CSK pacer to Test squad after injuries to Akash Deep and Arshdeep
India's bowling stocks have endured a significant blow with the fourth Test against England just three days away. Fast bowlers Akash Deep and Arshdeep have both been ruled out of the Manchester Test due to injuries, which has forced the selectors to add a replacement to the Test squad.
Deep had been in doubt since the Lord's Test ended, given that he was constantly having meetings with the team physio right through the game. The fact that he played in back-to-back Tests for the first time in his short career did cast doubts on the injury prone body. Arguably, it is his fitness that possibly let him down in the third Test where he seemed far from his best.
Meanwhile, Arshdeep's injury happened on Thursday (July 17) when his attempt to stop a powerful Sai Sudharsan stroke saw the left-arm pacer cop a sharp blow on his left hand. It instantly appeared to be a serious injury and the Punjab pacer didn't seem likely to be available for selection for Old Trafford.
Anshul Kamboj, who represented Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025 and has been a terrific all-format performer in domestic cricket, has been added to the Test squad as an option for the team management who have some tough calls to make. Kamboj created history in the 2024-25 Ranji season when he became only the third player in the history of the tournament to pick all ten wickets in an innings.
While he has only played 24 FC games, Kamboj has 79 wickets to his name with his staggering strike-rate of 44 being the standout feature. This on Indian pitches is phenomenal and Kamboj has been known for his metronomical approach to fast bowling. He has the ability to extract seam movement and hit the good length areas consistently with his tall frame allowing to get extra bounce off the surface. In IPL 2025, he was strangely underused and played only eight games but picked eight wickets at an impressive economy of 8.00.
It is, however, unlikely that Kamboj will find a place in the playing XI but he does have an outside chance. Head coach Gautam Gambhir is known for making instinctive decisions even in tricky scenarios. With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj both being bowlers enduring heavy work load, the last thing that India needs is a third seamer who will leak runs uncontrollably. It is something Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur have been guilty of doing this series although the latter was underbowled in Headingley.
Between the two of them, Thakur has a better chance of playing as it also adds to India's batting depth. However, if India need an effective attack, it would make sense to have Kamboj for two reasons. Firstly, his obvious ability that seems tailor-made for English conditions but importantly, he can also hold one end up and bowl long spells. This could help Shubman Gill to rotate Bumrah and Siraj more effectively in crisis situations.
Whether Kamboj makes it to the playing XI or not, his inclusion might just be a blessing in disguise for India.
The Manchester Test starts on Wednesday (July 23) at Old Trafford with England currently leading the series 2-1.
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