Beckenham, July 17: Team India’s preparations for the fourth Test against England were jolted by an untimely injury scare during their training session in Manchester, as pacer Arshdeep Singh sustained a cut on his bowling hand.
Meanwhile, all signs point to lead fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah being included in the playing XI for the crucial encounter at Old Trafford, starting July 23.
Arshdeep, who is yet to make his Test debut, was hit on the hand while attempting to stop a straight drive from Sai Sudharsan during his follow-through in the nets.
Medical personnel immediately assessed the damage to determine whether the 26-year-old would require stitches, which could influence his availability for selection.
“He took a ball while bowling — Sai hit it back, and Arshdeep tried to stop it. It’s a cut, so we have to see how deep it is,” confirmed India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.
“The medical team have taken him to a doctor. Whether or not stitches are needed will be important for our planning over the next few days.”The injury comes just days after India’s narrow 22-run defeat at Lord’s in the third Test, which saw the visitors slip 1-2 behind in the five-match series. With the series on the line, India will need to bounce back strongly in Manchester.
Bumrah, who has been rested strategically as part of workload management, took seven wickets at Lord’s and remains India’s top pace threat with 12 scalps in the series so far.
While his participation was initially uncertain, ten Doeschate indicated that the team is inclined towards fielding the star pacer.
“We’ll make the final decision in Manchester. We know we have him available for at least one of the two remaining Tests,” ten Doeschate said.
“But it’s pretty obvious — with the series hanging in the balance, we’re leaning towards playing him at Old Trafford.”
With Bumrah’s impact at Lord’s fresh in memory, several former cricketers, including Anil Kumble, have called on the management to play him in both the remaining Tests to salvage the series. India captain Shubman Gill, when asked about Bumrah’s availability post-defeat, had responded with a cryptic, “You’ll get to know soon.”India are also monitoring the fitness of Rishabh Pant, who suffered a blow to his left index finger while keeping in the Lord’s Test. The wicketkeeper was visibly in discomfort and did not take the field for the remainder of the match.
However, Gill later confirmed that Pant is expected to recover in time for the Manchester Test.
India had their first post-Lord’s training session at the County Ground in Beckenham before departing for Manchester. With just two matches remaining, the visitors face a must-win situation if they are to keep their hopes alive of reclaiming the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. (PTI)
