As India prepares for the crucial fourth Test against England at Manchester starting Wednesday, the team is expected to undergo at least three changes. With injuries to key players and form concerns in the batting department, the selectors and team management face some tough calls. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill are working closely to finalise the playing XI amid uncertainty due to fitness issues and rain-affected practice sessions.
Among the most notable developments is the likely debut of Anshul Kamboj, who appears to be leading the race to replace the injured Akash Deep. The young pacer has impressed in domestic cricket and Sudharsan has been on the radar of selectors for a while. With Akash Deep ruled out of the series, Kamboj’s inclusion offers India a fresh option in the pace attack. His selection would also signal a continued focus on grooming young talent, a strategy Gambhir has been keen on during this series.
Another forced change comes in the form of a replacement for Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has also been ruled out due to injury. In Reddy’s absence, the team is likely to bring in Shardul Thakur to fill the role of a pace-bowling all-rounder. Thakur, known for his knack of picking up timely wickets and contributing valuable runs down the order, is a logical choice for the role. His experience in English conditions could also be a deciding factor in his selection.
While these two changes are injury-enforced, a third change may come from a tactical reshuffle. According to a report by The indian express. B Sai Sudharsan is being considered for a return to the playing XI. The Tamil Nadu left-hander was dropped after the opening Test in Leeds, where he failed to impress at the No. 3 spot. Since then, Karun Nair has occupied the one-down position, but with limited success.
Gill Backs Karun, But Sudharsan Prepares for Possible Return in 4th Test
Sudharsan In three Tests so far, Karun has managed scores of 0, 20, 31, 26, 40, and 14—numbers that have raised questions about his place in the side. Despite this, the team management has continued to back the veteran batter. At the pre-match press conference, skipper Shubman Gill defended Nair’s position, stating that his struggles were more about converting starts than any technical shortcomings.
“We think Karun is batting well. In the first match, he didn’t really play in his regular position (batted at No. 6). It’s tough for a player making a comeback in a high-pressure series like this,” Gill said. “Sometimes, it’s just about that one innings to get going. Once you get that fifty, the confidence returns. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened for him yet.”
However, Sudharsan’s chances of making a comeback seem promising. Despite the team’s practice session being disrupted by rain on Tuesday, Sudharsan was seen spending time at the nets and doing shadow practice near the pitch covers. He was also observed studying the greenish-brown surface closely, indicating serious preparation.
Still, the question remains: if Sudharsan is brought in, who does he replace? It’s unlikely that he would be chosen over an all-rounder like Nitish, given Gambhir’s known preference for players who contribute in multiple departments. That narrows the possibilities to Karun Nair or Washington Sundar.
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Dropping Sundar would allow India to strengthen their batting, but it would also weaken the bowling balance. On the other hand, leaving out Karun Nair could open the door for Sudharsan to reclaim the No. 3 spot. Given Karun’s current form and Sudharsan’s hunger to prove himself, this appears to be the more probable route.
As the Manchester Test approaches, all eyes will be on India’s final team selection. With the series finely poised, these decisions could play a decisive role in shaping the outcome. Whether it’s the debut of Kamboj, the return of Thakur, or a surprise comeback for Sudharsan, India’s lineup is set for a shake-up — one that reflects both necessity and strategy.
