IND vs ENG 4th TEST: Sudharsan, Thakur, Jurel Eye Spots as India Brace for Crucial Manchester Test
Manchester, July 22, 2025: Team India is gearing up for a potential overhaul of their lineup for the pivotal fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, with injuries casting a shadow over the squad. Trailing 1-2 in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, India face a must-win scenario to keep their hopes alive for the series-deciding fifth Test at the Kia Oval. According to recent reports, the visitors are considering significant changes, with Sai Sudharsan, Shardul Thakur, and Dhruv Jurel in contention for spots.
Injuries to key players seamers Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, and keeper-batter Rishabh Pant have forced India’s team management to rethink their strategy. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj confirmed in a pre-match press conference that ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah will feature in Manchester, but the fitness of Akash Deep and Pant remains under scrutiny.
Pant, sidelined by a finger injury sustained during the Lord’s Test, showed encouraging signs in a two-hour training session on Monday, July 21. He batted confidently and participated in wicketkeeping drills, though his ability to keep wickets in the fourth Test is still uncertain. If Pant is ruled out as a keeper, Dhruv Jurel stands ready to step in as a specialist wicketkeeper.
Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar Reddy’s injury, after a standout performance with bat and ball at Lord’s, could open the door for Sai Sudharsan to bolster India’s batting. To adjust for conditions favoring seam, India may opt for Shardul Thakur over Washington Sundar, potentially prioritizing a fourth seamer over a second spinner.
Akash Deep’s Fitness in Focus
Akash Deep, whose maiden ten-wicket haul powered India’s victory in the second Test at Birmingham, is racing against time to prove his fitness. He bowled in the nets on Monday under the watchful eye of bowling coach Morne Morkel, but the medical team will monitor him for two more days before finalizing his inclusion.
With light showers forecast for days one, two, and five in Manchester, India’s team selection will hinge on adaptability. Jasprit Bumrah’s participation is confirmed, but concerns linger about his workload, given his history of back issues and the team’s plan to limit him to three Tests on this tour.
As India prepare for this high-stakes clash, all eyes are on the management’s final XI to see how they balance experience, form, and fitness to level the series.