Team India faces a selection dilemma ahead of the crucial fourth Test against England at Old Trafford in Manchester, scheduled to begin on July 23, 2025. The series stands at 2-1 in favor of England, making the upcoming match a must-win for India to level the series. Several factors, including injuries and workload management, are contributing to a potential rotation policy.
One of the major concerns is the availability of key pacers. Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, was always slated to play only three of the five Tests in this series as part of workload management. Having played the first and third Tests, a decision needs to be made whether to field him in the fourth or preserve him for the final Test at The Oval. Veteran cricketer Ajinkya Rahane suggested that if Bumrah is rested, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh should be his replacement. However, Arshdeep's participation is now in doubt after he suffered a cut on his left hand during a practice session and required stitches, with an expected recovery time of ten days.
Adding to the injury woes, Akash Deep, who made a significant impact in the Edgbaston Test, is also doubtful for the fourth Test due to a back issue he sustained during the third Test at Lord's. He experienced difficulty completing his overs in the second innings.
In light of these concerns, Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj has been added to the squad as cover. The 24-year-old was part of the India A team and has been recognized for his ability to extract bounce and swing the ball. While uncapped, Kamboj could inject fresh energy into the pace attack. There is a high chance that Kamboj could also be in line for his debut with pacer Akash Deep.
The potential absence of key players may force India to implement a rotation policy, ensuring that the available players are fresh and fit for each game. This approach also allows the team management to assess the depth of their squad and provide opportunities to younger players like Anshul Kamboj.
India's batting lineup is also under scrutiny. Former India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer criticized Karun Nair for his inconsistent performances in the series. Engineer suggested that the team needs a dependable No. 3 who can score big runs.
Despite the challenges, the Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, aims to bounce back in Manchester. However, history is not on their side, as India has never won a Test match at Old Trafford. In their last Test at the venue in 2014, India suffered a batting collapse, with only MS Dhoni's resilient 71 offering resistance.
To level the series, India will need to overcome their selection issues and perform at their best. A win in Manchester would put the pressure back on England and set up a crucial decider at The Oval.
