NEW DELHI: India’s preparation for the crucial fourth Test against England at Old Trafford began under overcast skies and behind closed doors in Manchester, as rain forced the team indoors. The first net session of the week was optional, and several key players, including Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, did not take part.As TimesofIndia.com reported, six players — India captain Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy — skipped the indoor session.The rest of the squad reported to the Old Trafford Cricket Ground around 1 PM local time despite persistent rain. Media was not allowed inside the venue, and no visuals were released from the indoor nets.While the session was optional, the absence of some of India’s frontline names raised a few eyebrows — particularly with India trailing the series 1-2 and the Old Trafford Test being a crucial match for Gill and his men.Meanwhile, India’s fast-bowling department has been hit with fresh concerns.
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After left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh sustained a hand injury earlier, TimesofIndia.com has learnt that Akash Deep — India’s standout performer at Edgbaston — is now a doubtful starter for the fourth Test.Akash is reportedly struggling with a recurring back issue that resurfaced during the Lord’s Test, where he had difficulty completing his spells in the second innings.
With both Arshdeep and Akash Deep likely unavailable, the team management has called up Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj as cover. The right-arm pacer has been making waves in domestic cricket and now finds himself in the mix for a possible Test debut.Despite skipping the optional nets, TimesofIndia.com understands that India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will be fit and available for the fourth Test.Bumrah had been rested for the second Test at Edgbaston as part of a workload management plan.The fourth Test between India and England is scheduled to begin on July 23 at Old Trafford, Manchester.
