Nitish Kumar Reddy Injury Blow Hits India Before 4th Test vs England
India’s tour of England has taken another concerning turn with young allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out of the remainder of the series due to a knee injury. This marks the third injury setback for Team India ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy hangs in the balance with England leading the five-match series 2-1. Nitish Kumar Reddy Injury Nitish Kumar Reddy Injury
Knee Ligament Damage Ends Reddy’s Tour
Reddy, who featured in the second and third Tests, sustained the injury during a gym training session on Sunday. Subsequent scans revealed ligament damage in his knee, effectively ending his participation in the remaining matches of the tour. The news was first reported by ESPNcricinfo and has since been confirmed by sources within the Indian team management. Nitish Kumar Reddy Injury
The 21-year-old Andhra allrounder had begun to show promise in the series, particularly with the ball at Lord’s, where he dismissed both English openers — Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley — in the same over during the first innings. He later removed Crawley again in the second innings, showcasing his potential as a seam-bowling allrounder on overseas pitches. Nitish Kumar Reddy Injury
Reddy’s Absence Worsens India’s Selection Crisis
Reddy’s unavailability adds to a growing list of injury concerns that already includes pacers Akash Deep (back/groin issue) and Arshdeep Singh (hand injury). Moreover, India’s frontline quick Jasprit Bumrah is being carefully managed due to workload concerns and was not originally expected to play both of the last two Tests.
With India trailing the series and needing a victory at Old Trafford to keep their hopes alive, the loss of Reddy — a genuine seam-bowling allrounder — disrupts their team balance further. He had replaced Shardul Thakur after the first Test and looked likely to retain his spot heading into the fourth Test. Nitish Kumar Reddy Injury
Performance So Far: Mixed But Promising
Nitish Kumar Reddy didn’t have the most prolific numbers in the second Test at Birmingham, managing only two runs and failing to pick up a wicket in six overs. However, his performance at Lord’s was far more impactful. Apart from his three key wickets, he also chipped in with useful lower-order runs, scoring 30 and 13 in two innings — a handy contribution in a low-scoring encounter.
His aggressive but disciplined approach with the ball and steady temperament at the crease made him a valuable asset for India, especially in English conditions. Nitish Kumar Reddy Injury
Who Can Replace Reddy?
With Reddy ruled out, the Indian team might turn back to Shardul Thakur, who played the series opener at Headingley. Thakur offers a similar skill set — medium pace, lower-order batting, and the ability to bowl long spells — and could fit right back into the XI without disrupting the team’s balance too much.
Another possibility is to play an extra batter like Dhruv Jurel if the management feels the need for batting depth and moves away from the allrounder template. This may happen especially if Rishabh Pant is not fit to keep wickets and plays only as a specialist batter due to his recovering finger injury. Nitish Kumar Reddy Injury
India’s Growing Injury List on England Tour
Here’s a look at the major injury setbacks India have suffered leading into the 4th Test:
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Nitish Kumar Reddy – Knee ligament injury (Ruled out of tour)
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Akash Deep – Recurring back/groin injury (Likely to miss 4th Test)
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Arshdeep Singh – Hand/thumb injury (Unlikely for 4th Test)
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Jasprit Bumrah – Under workload management (uncertain for both 4th and 5th Tests)
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Rishabh Pant – Finger injury (may not keep wickets)
With limited options and time running out, the Indian team management — led by captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir — now face a tough tactical puzzle. Nitish Kumar Reddy Injury
India’s Options for Manchester Test
If Bumrah plays the 4th Test despite workload concerns, India may field the following bowling combination:
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Jasprit Bumrah
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Mohammed Siraj
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Mukesh Kumar
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Ravindra Jadeja (if fit) or Axar Patel
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Ravichandran Ashwin
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Shardul Thakur (replacing Reddy)
Alternatively, if Bumrah is rested, Anshul Kamboj (recently called up) may be a left-field option to debut.
Must-Win Match for Team India
India trails 1-2 in the five-match series and needs a win in Manchester to take the series to a decider at The Oval. The team has already shown resilience in bouncing back in the second Test but looked outmatched in the third.
The injuries have made things more difficult for a young Indian team still finding its feet under Shubman Gill’s leadership. The pressure is now squarely on the management to find the right combination that can both withstand England’s Bazball onslaught and seize the momentum going into the final Test.
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