Shubman Gill has confirmed Team India seamer Akash Deep’s status ahead of the fourth test against England. The match will begin on Wednesday, July 23, at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Gill gave a crucial update in a news conference on the eve of the fourth Test, confirming that Akash Deep will not play in Manchester. The seamer suffered a groin niggle in the third game and was ruled out for the following game. This comes as a big setback, as Nitish Kumar Reddy has already been ruled out for the rest of the series.
“It’s never easy when there are a few injuries in the squad. Nitish Kumar Reddy is going to miss out on the series. Akash Deep is unavailable for the next match, so is Arshdeep, but we have enough good players in the team to pick up twenty wickets. That has been the most challenging aspect of the series. It is not ideal to have different bowlers, but I was prepared,” Gill was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
Akash Deep took ten wickets in the second Test at Birmingham. However, he had little impact at Lord’s. He took no wickets in the first innings and only one in the second. Anshul Kamboj, who was introduced to the team following multiple player injuries, might replace Akash Deep and make his Manchester debut.
Shubman Gill Eyes Strong Comeback with the Bat in Crucial 4th Test
Shubman Gill is in excellent form with the bat in the current series. The right-hander has now scored 607 runs in three games, an average of 101.16, with three hundreds, including a double hundred.
The 25-year-old scored three hundreds in the first two Tests. Shubman Gill struggled in the third game. He scored 16 off 44 balls in the first innings and six off nine in the second.
India lost by 22 runs and is trailing 1-2 in the series. With just two matches remaining, the Manchester Test is a must-win for the visitors. To draw level and keep their dreams of winning the series alive, their captain will need to lead from the front with the bat.
Gill will be eager to put his poor performance at Lord’s behind him and get back on track in Manchester.
