Just days before India take on England in a must-win fourth Test at Old Trafford, there’s a fresh worry in the visitors' camp.
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, a possible candidate to make his Test debut, injured his left hand during practice. This has put his availability in doubt ahead of the crucial clash.
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The five-match series currently stands at 2-1 in England’s favour after India suffered a tough defeat at Lord’s. With the pressure now on the visitors to make a comeback, any new injury scare could affect the playing XI plans heading into the match starting on July 23.
Will Arshdeep Singh play IND vs ENG 4th Test in Old Trafford?
During the team’s training session in Manchester, Arshdeep was seen with a bandage wrapped around his bowling hand. The 26-year-old sustained a cut on his palm while attempting to stop a shot from Sai Sudharsan during a net session.
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed the injury, saying: "Arshdeep took a ball while he was bowling there, Sai hit a ball and he tried to stop it and it’s just a cut."
"So we have to see how bad the cut is. Obviously, the medical team have taken him off to see a doctor and obviously, if he needs stitches or doesn’t need stitches it’s going to be important to our planning for the next few days,” he added.
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Though it didn’t appear to be a major injury on first look, the uncertainty at this time in the series is far from ideal. With the match only a few days away, the team management must decide quickly whether Arshdeep can still be a part of the squad for selection in the upcoming Tests.
Why was Arshdeep Singh being considered for a Test debut in Manchester?
Although Arshdeep has been part of the Test squad throughout the series, he has yet to play a single match.
India have rotated fast bowlers regularly, using the likes of Bumrah, Siraj, Shardul, Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep so far. With workload concerns around Bumrah, Arshdeep was seen as a possible inclusion for the fourth Test.
India’s coaching staff also considered the impact of using a left-arm angle in English conditions. With Arshdeep's experience in county cricket with Kent and having proven himself in shorter formats, he was believed to be ready to step up to red-ball cricket.
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As of now, no official statement has been made by the BCCI about his availability. However, with the match in Manchester beginning on July 23, updates on his condition are expected soon.