The India cricket team’s hopes of levelling the series at Manchester have taken a significant hit. India’s fourth pacer and bowling all-rounder, Nitish Kumar Reddy, has been ruled out of the ongoing India vs England Test series.
Nitish Reddy suffers a knee injury
According to ESPNcricinfo, while training in the gym on July 20, Nitish injured himself. The all-rounder was taken for scans subsequently, and results showed he had ligament damage in his knee. As per the Times of India, Nitish won’t take further part in the series.
At Lord’s, Nitish had formed an important partnership with Ravindra Jadeja in the first innings to take things to parity. He had also shone with the bat, claiming wickets of both English openers in the first outing and then getting Zak Crawley out again.
Earlier today, Team India had visited Manchester United, and fascinatingly, Nitish wasn’t spotted. It didn’t come to anyone’s mind then, but it looks clear now that he was being checked out by the medical staff to ascertain whether he’ll regain fitness for the next two Test matches of the India vs England Test series.
India battling England and injuries
Nitish isn’t the first Indian player to get injured on the tour. Rishabh Pant had injured his left hand during the Lord’s Test and didn’t keep wickets for the majority of the match. He was facing significant pain while batting as well. Akash Deep also didn’t look his best. He had a hip niggle and had to leave the field at that point. Reports suggest Akash might not play at Manchester.
Furthermore, Arshdeep Singh, India’s fifth frontline pacer, had also injured himself. He has a deep cut on his hand and is expected to take 10 days to recover. That’s three players out of the India vs England series potentially. Anshul Kamboj has been called upon as backup for Arshdeep and has joined the Indian squad.
As for Nitish, it’s unclear whether BCCI will call for a backup. Shardul Thakur, another pace bowling all-rounder, is already part of the team. With him, the management may not feel the need to fly out another all-rounder.
