After left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh suffered a hand injury, Team India have been dealt another major blow in their fast bowling department as pacer Akash Deep is likely to be ruled out of the fourth Test against England. TimesofIndia.com has learnt that India’s Edgbaston hero, Akash Deep, is reportedly dealing with a recurring back issue that has flared up again. He found it difficult to complete his spells during the second innings at Lord’s and remains a doubtful starter for the fourth Test on Wednesday.The team management has already called up Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj as cover for the injured Arshdeep and Akash Deep.TimesofIndia.com has also learnt that with the series on the line, India’s spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will be playing in Manchester.“Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep won’t be playing together in the remaining two Tests,” a source tracking the development told TimesofIndia.com.
“It was decided before the tour that Bumrah will only play three Tests in this series, and now with Akash’s back niggle flaring up, we can’t see both of them playing in the XI together.“If Bumrah plays in Manchester, then Akash will sit out. At The Oval, Akash will replace Bumrah,” said the source.On Day 4 of the third Test at Lord’s, during the 28th over of England’s innings, Akash Deep walked off the field after experiencing discomfort. Accompanied by the team physio, the pacer appeared to be in pain as he clutched his lower back and winced while heading to the dressing room.
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“He is walking very gingerly. Not a good sign for India,” former England captain Michael Atherton had said in commentary.Akash Deep had faced back issues during the Australia tour as well, and the injury kept him away from cricket for three months.The Bengal pacer even joined his IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants two weeks after the start of the season.
Akash Deep shone bright with a 10-wicket haul in India’s series-levelling 336-run win over England at Edgbaston. He picked up 4/88 in the first innings and then followed it up with a splendid 6/99 in the second essay to return with impressive match figures of 10/187.The 28-year-old pacer’s effort helped India draw level in the five-match series after losing the opener by five wickets at Leeds.Akash Deep didn’t bowl in a nets session organised by the Indian team before leaving for Manchester.
India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate had hinted at the seamer’s injury during a media interaction, while explaining why bowling coach Morne Morkel was rolling his arms at the nets.“Arsh going away there after he cut his hand and Akash not bowling today. Sometimes we run a bit thin, and if we think the practice is good, someone bowling 20 yards and a bit taller and shaking a new ball, it is good practice for the batters,” said the coach.The fourth match of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy will start from July 23 at Old Trafford in Manchester.
