The India National Cricket Team is currently gearing up for the crucial fourth Test against England, starting on July 23 at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester. There were earlier reports that India will face England with the unchanged Playing XI in the must-win clash in Manchester.

But it has now confirmed that the Indian cricket team will make a couple of changes in their playing XI for their must-win fourth Test match against England in Manchester. There are several injury concerns in the Indian camp that reportedly forced the team management to rethink their plans.

Injuries force India to rethink strategy ahead of Manchester Test

The biggest concern is around India’s vice-captain and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. The left-handed batter is fit to bat but not fully fit to keep wickets for five days. So, the Indian cricket team is thinking about playing Dhruv Jurel as the wicketkeeper.

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Actually, as a precaution, the Indian cricket team management is reportedly considering playing Dhruv Jurel in place of Rishabh Pant in the fourth Test against England in Manchester. But Jurel disappointed everyone with his job behind the stumps at Lord’s and gave away 36 byes in two innings during the Indian team’s narrow 22-run defeat against England.

Still, Jurel is likely to be picked for the do-or-die encounter, but he will come in place of the struggling batter Karun Nair, as per a report in CricBlogger. If Jurel makes the cut, then the playing XI would have three wicket-keepers, with KL Rahul also being able to do wicket-keeping. Rahul kept the wickets in South Africa last year, and he can do the same in Manchester.

Will KL Rahul play as wicketkeeper?

Playing Rahul as wicketkeeper will offer a great opportunity for India to play an extra batter, either Abhimanyu Easwaran or Sai Sudarshan.

Meanwhile, there is also trouble in the bowling department. Akash Deep is nursing a groin injury, and the team doesn’t want to take a risk with him. Arshdeep Singh also suffered a hand injury. They can replace the in-form Akash with another fast bowler like Prasidh Krishna.

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Kuldeep Yadav is likely to play in the fourth Test

But now, the Indian cricket team is thinking about playing Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm spinner, in the Manchester Test against England. If the Old Trafford Cricket Ground pitch helps spinners later in the match, Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion could be a game-changer for India.

On the other hand, as reported by the Times of India, Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep will not play together in the last two Tests of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. If Bumrah plays the fourth Test in Manchester, then Akash Deep will be rested. In the final Test at The Oval, they will swap roles, with Akash likely to return and Bumrah possibly sitting out.

This rotation is part of India’s strategy to manage the bowlers’ workload, especially with the pressure of a long series. India has also added Haryana fast bowler Anshul Kamboj to the squad as backup.