As India braces for a crucial fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester, trailing 1-2 in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the spotlight is firmly on their pace bowling combination. With injuries plaguing the unit, captain Shubman Gill has provided a strong hint about a potential Test debut.
The Pace Dilemma: Prasidh Krishna vs Anshul Kamboj
India’s pace attack has been hit hard by injuries, with Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh both unavailable for the Manchester Test. This leaves Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj as the primary pace options, with the third seamer spot fiercely contested between Prasidh Krishna and uncapped Anshul Kamboj.
Prasidh Krishna featured in the first two Tests of the series but struggled to make a significant impact, often proving expensive and failing to pick up crucial wickets. His performance has left many questioning his consistency at the Test level.
Anshul Kamboj, on the other hand, has earned his maiden Test call-up as an injury cover. The 24-year-old Haryana pacer has impressed in the nets, bowling with the new ball alongside Bumrah and Siraj and maintaining excellent lengths to India’s top batters. His ability to bowl long spells and contribute with the bat down the order are seen as significant advantages. Former India spinner R Ashwin has even compared Kamboj’s understanding of the game plan to that of Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah, highlighting his potential. While Prasidh has more first-class experience, Kamboj’s recent form, particularly in the India A setup and domestic white-ball cricket, has been commendable.
Shubman Gill’s Subtle Suggestion
India’s captain, Shubman Gill, addressed the media ahead of the fourth Test, confirming the unavailability of Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh. When questioned about the third seamer, Gill stated, “He [Anshul Kamboj] is very close to making his debut. We will see between Prasidh and Anshul tomorrow.” This statement, coupled with reports of Kamboj’s impressive net sessions and Prasidh’s limited involvement with the new ball in practice, strongly suggests that Kamboj is the front-runner for a Test debut.
Other Key Updates from Gill
Beyond the bowling selection, Shubman Gill also provided clarity on other crucial aspects of India’s playing XI:
- Rishabh Pant to Keep Wickets: Despite suffering a finger injury during the third Test at Lord’s, Gill confirmed that Rishabh Pant will resume wicketkeeping duties in Manchester. This comes as a significant boost for India, given Pant’s impact both behind the stumps and with the bat.
- Backing Karun Nair: Gill expressed confidence in Karun Nair, who has been struggling for form in the series. “He didn’t bat at his number in the first game and we have had conversations with him, and he will turn it around,” Gill stated, indicating that Nair will retain his spot in the middle order.
- On England’s Time-Wasting Tactics: Gill also voiced his displeasure over England’s alleged time-wasting tactics in the Lord’s Test, calling it “not in the spirit of the game.”
With the series on the line, India will be looking for a strong performance at Old Trafford, and the inclusion of Anshul Kamboj could provide the fresh impetus their bowling attack needs. The final playing XI will be confirmed at the toss on Wednesday.
