Gill seeks revival amid injury crisis for 4th Test

SKIPPER HOPES TO INSPIRE TURNAROUND AS ENGLAND LEAD SERIES 2-1

- BY A.K.S. SATISH

As India prepare for a must-win fourth Test at Old Trafford, skipper Shubman Gill will be hoping to inspire a turnaround not just in results, but in belief, after his team’s narrow defeat at Lord’s left them trailing 1-2 in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series.

Despite dominating large parts of the third Test, India fell short by 22 runs in a tense finish — a loss that stung both for its closeness and its consequences. Now, as they regroup in Manchester, Gill leads a squad grappling with injuries and mounting pressure.

The latest blows came with Nitish Kumar Reddy (knee) and Arshdeep Singh (thumb) ruled out of the fourth Test. The team management has called up Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj, who impressed in India A fixtures and domestic tournaments, including the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Emerging Asia Cup. Adding to the uncertainty is Akash Deep, nursing a groin niggle after walking off during the Lord’s Test, while Rishabh Pant continues to recover from a finger injury.

Even Jasprit Bumrah, who was instrumental with a seven-wicket haul at Lord’s, is being closely monitored due to workload concerns, although the extended eight-day break between Tests has raised hopes of his return.