India will miss another pacer for the Old Trafford Test against England.
There had been doubts over Akash Deep, and now it’s confirmed — the Indian pacer has been ruled out of the Old Trafford Test due to injury.
The fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy begins Wednesday, with India trailing the five-match series 2-1.
Akash picked up a groin injury during the Lord’s Test and could bowl only eight overs in England’s second innings. In his fourth over, he bowled Harry Brook, but later he was seen clutching his hip and had to leave the field at the drinks break.
Though he returned later, he didn’t bowl again. Coming in as a nightwatchman late on Day Four, he lasted just 11 deliveries.
Akash’s participation in Manchester had been uncertain, but now it’s official — India will not have him for the crucial Test.
He played all three Tests in the series, taking 11 wickets at an average of 28.09. His standout performance came at Edgbaston, where his 4-wicket haul in the first innings and 6 in the second helped India to a massive 336-run win. Captain Shubman Gill, however, took the Player of the Match award for twin centuries.
Before Akash, India had already lost Arshdeep Singh, who injured his left thumb, and seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was ruled out with a knee injury.
If things go as expected, India’s pace attack at Old Trafford will feature Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, with either debutant Anshul Kamboj or Prasidh Krishna likely filling the third seamer’s slot.
