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Pace Bowling Uncertainty Hits India As Bumrah-Akash Deep Combo Ruled Out For Two Tests vs ENG

Rajgeeta Yadav

Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep [Source: AP Photos]Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep [Source: AP Photos]

India are getting ready to face England in the 4th Test of the five-match series starting Thursday, July 23, at Old Trafford in Manchester. After losing the last match at Lord’s, India is now trailing 1-2 in the series. This means the upcoming match is a must-win for India, if they lose, the series is gone with only one game left.

But there’s more trouble for the team: key fast bowlers are dealing with injuries.

Akash Deep, one of the standout players in India’s only win of the series (at Edgbaston), has suffered a groin strain. He hurt himself during the last match at Lord’s and had to leave the field midway. Though he came back later, he didn’t bowl again that day. 

Notably, Akash has a history of injuries, he missed both the Border-Gavaskar series in Australia and IPL 2025 due to a back issue.

Now, this groin problem has come back, and he even skipped the latest training session. With his fitness still in question, he’s doubtful for the fourth Test.

Bumrah-Akash Deep Rotation Plan

India also wants to manage Jasprit Bumrah’s workload carefully. Team management had already planned to play him in only three of the five Tests. Given Akash Deep’s injury concerns, both of them won’t be playing together in the last two matches.

A team source explained to Times of India:

 "Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep won't be playing together in the remaining two Tests”


"It was decided before the tour that Bumrah will play three Tests in this series, and now with Akash's back niggle flaring up, we can't see both of them playing in the I togther. 

“If Bumrah plays in Manchester, then Akash will sit out. At the Oval, Akash will replace Bumrah,"  Source added.

India Add Anshul Kamboj In Team India's Squad 

To make things even trickier, Arshdeep Singh also got injured, he cut his bowling hand during practice earlier this week. He’s expected to need about 10 more days to recover.

As a precaution, Anshul Kamboj, another fast bowler, has been added to the squad. If both Arshdeep and Akash are unavailable, there’s a chance Kamboj might be picked to play in the upcoming Test.