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Team India are battling hard with injuries as they approach the business end of their 2025 Test tour of England. With the visitors trailing 1-2 in the best-of-five Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series after three exciting encounters, the fourth Test at Manchester, starting July 23, becomes an absolute must-win for them.
Anshul Kamboj vs Prasidh Krishna: The race to replace Akash Deep in ENG vs IND Manchester Test
However, the side has been dealt massive blows, with key all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, along with pacers Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh, all likely ruled out of the contest. While the loss of Reddy and Arshdeep is significant, it’s the potential absence of Akash Deep, the hero with the ball in India’s lone win at Edgbaston, that will most worry Team India and their management. Akash finished with match figures of 10/187 in that decisive victory. Adding to India’s challenges is their nightmarish past at Manchester, where they hold a dismal record of no wins in nine Tests.
Yet, they can draw some solace and confidence from having recently overcome a similar winless record at Edgbaston, converting it into a memorable 336-run victory at that venue in the second Test. With reports indicating that Akash is nursing a groin issue and is now considered ‘all but out,’ of the Manchester Test, India faces a crucial selection conundrum for the third fast bowler’s slot. The decision primarily hinges on choosing between the promising uncapped Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj and the more experienced, though recently struggling, Prasidh Krishna.
1. Anshul Kamboj’s compelling case for debut:
Kamboj boasts an impressive first-class record, having bagged 79 wickets in just 24 matches at an outstanding average of 22.88. His standout performance includes a remarkable 10-wicket haul in an innings (10/49) during the Ranji Trophy, showcasing his ability to run through batting lineups.
He has been in ‘cracking form,’ domestically and recently made a significant impression during India A’s tour of England, where he picked up 5 wickets in two unofficial Tests against England Lions, including a notable spell of 4/62 in one game. Furthermore, he was the highest wicket-taker in the Duleep Trophy, with 16 wickets at an impressive average of 17.12 for India C. Kamboj’s attributes, such as his capability to bowl long spells, excellent wrist position, and consistent seam movement, make him particularly well-suited for English conditions. His intense training with the squad and his recent call-up as cover for Arshdeep Singh, followed by his inclusion in the main squad, strongly suggest he is on the cusp of a Test debut.
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2. Prasidh Krishna’s recent struggles in the series:
Krishna has featured in the first two Tests of this Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, but his performances have, unfortunately, been far from convincing. In the 1st Test at Headingley, he struggled to find his rhythm, picking up just 3 wickets for 128 runs in the first innings (at an economy rate of 6.40) and 2 wickets for 92 runs in the second innings (at an economy rate of 6.13). Overall in that match, he conceded a hefty 220 runs for 5 wickets.
In the 2nd Test at Edgbaston, his struggles continued as he went wicketless in the first innings, conceding 5.53 runs per over in his 13 overs, and was subsequently dropped for the third Test. His overall bowling average for the series stands at a concerning 58.40, coupled with a high economy rate of 6.08, making him the most expensive bowler (among those with a minimum of 5 wickets) in the ongoing trophy.
Considering Kamboj’s exceptional recent form, compelling first-class statistics, and his apparent suitability for the English conditions, he emerges as the strong frontrunner for a Test debut if Akash is indeed unavailable. Krishna’s struggles with control and high economy rate in the earlier Tests of the series make his selection a less favorable option, despite his prior Test experience.
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