Bumrah boost for India in fourth Test amid injuries to fast bowlers

With injuries to their pacers having grown into a mini crisis, India have confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah will play in the fourth Test starting at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Moham-med Siraj, addressing the media ‘on Monday, said: “So far, we only know that Jassi (Bumrah) bhai will play.” With Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh and Nit-ish Kumar Reddy ruled out due to injuries, Siraj said in Manchester that the team combin:tion is “changing day-to-day but he will bowl with the man whose workload management restricts him to only three of the five Tests.

- Somshuvra Laha

On Monday morning, a BCCI media release said that India will go into the Test two bowlers short and that Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj has been added to the squad. Nitish Reddy, who hasa left knee injury, has been ruled out of the last two Tests. Arshdeep suffered a thumb injury in his bowling hand while trying to stop a ball on the follow at the nets. Reddy will fly home immediately.

The BCCI release added: “Arshdeep sustained an impact injury to his left thumb while bowling in the nets ata training session in Beckenham. The BCCI medical team is monitoring his progress.”

This, in addition to the groin niggle Akash Deep is battling, means India have very little wiggle room in the pace department. Akash was seen hobbling abitafter bowling the 30th over of the England second innings in the Lord's Test. He did come out to bat as nightwatchman. “Akash Deep has a groin issue, physios are examining him,” said Siraj. “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.”