India have called up Haryana’s right-arm seamer Anshul Kamboj as a back-up pacer for the remainder of the Test series in England, following injury concerns to Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh.
Akash Deep, who played a pivotal role in India’s historic victory at Edgbaston, is reportedly nursing a hip injury that could rule him out of the fourth Test in Manchester. The pacer, who dismissed Harry Brook with a stunning delivery at Lord’s, was seen in visible discomfort after bowling the 30th over of England’s second innings. He held his hip and walked gingerly before eventually leaving the field. Though he did return later and came out to bat briefly as a nightwatchman, he didn’t bowl another over.
Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh injured his finger while trying to stop a shot during a training session in Beckenham. He has since been assessed by the medical team and is currently under observation.
The injury setbacks come at a time when India are also monitoring Jasprit Bumrah’s workload, as the fast-bowling spearhead continues to shoulder a heavy burden through the series. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate hinted at the possibility of Bumrah featuring in Manchester, with India trailing 2-1 in the five-match series after the heartbreaking defeat at Lord’s.
Anshul Kamboj’s inclusion brings a silver lining. The young pacer returns to England after a strong showing for India A against England Lions earlier this summer. Across two matches, he bowled with control — conceding just a little over three runs per over in two innings where he sent down more than 10 overs. He also claimed five wickets and impressed with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 51 in one of the games.
As India head into the penultimate Test with everything to play for, Kamboj’s addition offers a much-needed boost to the bowling arsenal.
