ENG Vs IND, 4th Test: Who Will Replace Akash Deep In Manchester – Anshul Kambhoj Or Prasidh Krishna?

As the sun casts its ever-shifting shadows over Old Trafford, Manchester, an equally uncertain shadow looms large over Team India’s campaign in the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy. After three riveting Tests in Leeds, Birmingham, and London, England holds a slender but significant 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Now, the Indian camp, already battered by injuries and an underwhelming away record at Old Trafford, must make critical decisions—none more vital than choosing who replaces the injured Akash Deep in the fast-bowling department.

With the fourth Test starting on July 23, and India facing a virtual knockout, the team finds itself in dire need of inspiration and reinvention. This contest isn’t just about levelling the series—it’s about resilience, redemption, and rewriting history at a ground where India has never won a Test match in nine attempts.

But first, let’s look at the biggest elephant in the dressing room: the injury crisis.

Injury Crisis Hits India at a Crucial Juncture

India’s squad resembles a battlefield clinic more than a Test touring party right now. The list of wounded is as long as it is worrying.

Nitish Kumar Reddy – The breakout all-rounder of the season is officially ruled out with a knee injury. His presence as a fourth bowling option and dependable No. 6 batter will be sorely missed.
Akash Deep – India’s bowling hero at Edgbaston, where he picked up a match haul of 10/187, is all but ruled out due to a groin injury. His absence could be decisive, given his reverse-swing heroics and ability to pick wickets in bunches.
Arshdeep Singh – Initially the frontrunner to replace Akash Deep, Arshdeep was ruled out after sustaining a thumb injury in practice.
Rishabh Pant – The wicketkeeper is nursing a bruised finger, which may restrict him to playing purely as a batter in Manchester. In his place, the gloves are expected to go to Dhruv Jurel.

These injuries have put enormous pressure on the team management to find balance. Without Reddy, they lose an all-rounder. Without Akash and Arshdeep, they lose wicket-taking options. And without Pant behind the stumps, they risk missing out on leadership and flair in the field.

In this chaos, one question takes center stage: Who replaces Akash Deep?

The Selection Dilemma: Anshul Kamboj or Prasidh Krishna?

With Akash Deep effectively ruled out, the Indian selectors are left with two contrasting choices to partner Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj: the raw but red-hot Anshul Kamboj, or the experienced but off-colour Prasidh Krishna.

Let’s break down the options.

Anshul Kamboj: The Debutant with a Dream

Domestic Domination

If the selection is based on form and promise, Anshul Kamboj is miles ahead. The 24-year-old Haryana pacer has been tearing up the domestic circuit:

First-class stats: 79 wickets in 24 matches @ 22.88 average
Best figures: 10/49 in an innings (Ranji Trophy)
Duleep Trophy 2024: Highest wicket-taker – 16 wickets @ 17.12
India A Tour of England: 5 wickets in 2 unofficial Tests, including 4/62 against England Lions

Kamboj isn’t just statistically sound—he’s made waves with skills tailor-made for English conditions: late swing, seam movement, and a high wrist position that allows him to extract steep bounce off good-length deliveries.

He also comes into the squad with momentum, having trained closely with the team throughout the tour. Sources within the BCCI indicate he has impressed the coaching staff with his work ethic and control in the nets.

Suitability for Manchester Conditions

Old Trafford has historically aided bowlers who can keep the ball on a tight leash while exploiting bounce and seam off the deck. Kamboj’s strengths—discipline, ability to bowl long spells, and consistent line outside off-stump—tick all those boxes.

The fact that he outperformed seasoned pros like Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar during India A’s tour of England only cements his case. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Kamboj is not just a replacement—he might be an upgrade.

Prasidh Krishna: The Experienced Yet Ineffective Option

Struggles in This Series

On paper, Prasidh Krishna is the safer pick. He’s been part of the senior setup longer, has Test caps to his name, and has bowled in this very series. But unfortunately for India, his form has dipped alarmingly:

1st Test at Headingley: 3/128 in 1st innings (Economy: 6.40), 2/92 in 2nd innings (Economy: 6.13)
2nd Test at Edgbaston: 0 wickets, 5.53 economy, looked out of sorts
Series average: 58.40
Series economy: 6.08 (worst among Indian bowlers with 5+ wickets)

Prasidh’s high release point, which once promised steep bounce and wicket-taking spells, now appears to be his undoing. His inability to maintain consistent line and length, coupled with erratic short-pitched bowling, has made him a liability in controlling the flow of runs.

Can He Bounce Back?

The question isn’t about ability—Prasidh has pace, bounce, and aggression—but about confidence. After being dropped for the third Test, there’s little evidence to suggest he’s regained his edge. Bringing him back could be seen as a step backward, especially when fresh energy like Kamboj is available.

India’s Recent History with Bold Debuts

Team India under Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma have never shied away from making brave calls, especially when the stakes are high.

Remember Mohammed Siraj’s debut in Australia 2020? Instant impact.
Or Shubman Gill’s introduction in the same series? Match-winner at the Gabba.
Even Axar Patel in the home series vs England 2021 had a dream debut with five-fors.

The management has often trusted domestic form and temperament over experience, and more often than not, it has paid off.

With India’s record at Old Trafford—0 wins in 9 Tests—the need of the hour is boldness, not conservatism.

Predicted Indian XI for 4th Test (if Akash Deep is out)

Rohit Sharma (c)
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
KL Rahul
Rishabh Pant (batting only)
Dhruv Jurel (wk)
Ravindra Jadeja
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammed Siraj
Anshul Kamboj ✅

India’s Record at Old Trafford – Can History Be Rewritten?

Total Tests played: 9
India wins: 0
England wins: 4
Drawn: 5
Lowest Indian total: 58 all out (1952)
Average 4th innings score: 169
Pitch trend: Traditionally favors seamers early, but spinners come into play from Day 3

India will need to battle not just England, but also the psychological burden of decades of underperformance at Manchester. But if there was ever a time to shake things up and flip the script—it is now.

Final Verdict: Why Kamboj Should Play

This is not just a choice between two bowlers—it’s a philosophical decision about how India wants to approach modern Test cricket.

Do you go with recent form, domestic dominance, and horses-for-courses thinking?
Or do you play it safe and hope experience miraculously trumps poor form?

In 2021, India picked Mohammed Siraj over Umesh Yadav. In 2023, they backed Yashasvi Jaiswal despite his age. Both calls proved match-winning. In 2025, Anshul Kamboj could be that story.

With nothing to lose and everything to gain, India must trust youth, hunger, and form. In a series defined by bold strokes and brave fightbacks, this might just be their best bet.

What the Experts Say

Harbhajan Singh: “If Akash is out, India must hand Kamboj his cap. England haven’t seen him, and that’s our advantage.”
VVS Laxman: “You don’t get a Duleep Trophy haul like that unless you’re special. His time has come.”
Michael Vaughan: “India’s pace depth is scary. If they unleash another fresh face like Kamboj, England should be very wary.”

One Match to Decide India’s Fate

The fourth Test at Old Trafford isn’t just another match—it’s a season-defining battle, perhaps even a career-defining one for someone like Kamboj. If he gets the nod and delivers, India could level the series 2-2 and set up a final at The Oval.

And if he doesn’t get picked?

We may look back and wonder if India missed a golden chance to unleash the next big thing in Indian fast bowling.

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