Nitish Kumar Reddy likely to be ruled out of rest of England tour due to injury, in a blow to India: Report

India suffered another major injury blow in the form of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is unlikely to take any further part in the ongoing five-match Test series against England. As per ANI, Reddy suffered a knee injury during training in the gym, and the scans revealed ligament damage, ruling the 22-year-old out of at least the fourth Test in Manchester, which is scheduled to start on July 23 and likely from the finale at the Oval as well.

Reddy's was the third consecutive injury blow to India in the lead-up to the fourth Test, following Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep, who too are likely to miss the said game. While Arshdeep got hit in his bowling hand and was heavily taped up during practice, Akash Deep reported a groin niggle after playing the last two Tests for India in Birmingham and at Lord's. India will have to mine their resources in the absence of three key components of the 18-man squad, with the series on the line.

Reddy missed the opening game of the series, with India opting to play the bowling



all-rounder, Shardul Thakur, instead. Reddy didn't do much at Edgbaston in the second Test, which India won. However, Reddy showed signs of what he can bring to this Indian Test team in both departments with crucial contributions with bat and ball in the Lord's Test by dismissing both the English openers in the first innings and returning scores of 30 and 13.

For the balance of the side, it seems India might have to go back to Shardul Thakur at rainy Old Trafford while also fiddling with their pace-bowling combination. With a nine-day rest, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will most likely continue in Manchester, but Anshul Kamboj, who was brought in as cover into the squad, might be thrown into the deep end straightaway as the third seamer.

Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar will be the two spin all-rounders for the team, as Kuldeep Yadav might have to sit this one out as well. India are trailing 1-2 in the series and will have to come up with a strong performance at Old Trafford to take it to the decider at the Oval.