Anshul Kamboj to make India debut at Manchester? Talks with Gautam Gambhir, full-fledged net session spark buzz

Anshul Kamboj has been added to India's Test squad in England (PTI Photo)

Anshul Kamboj has been leading an accelerated life. A day before the crucial fourth Test, the young pacer had his first full-fledged net session after being formally named by the BCCI in India's Test team for the final two matches against England. Since then, the Manchester training session has stoked rumors that the team's management may give him his first cap on Wednesday at Old Trafford.

The Times of India reported that Kamboj bowled with the new ball for more than forty-five minutes and was seen having "multiple discussions" with head coach Gautam Gambhir. Additionally, he was observed talking and picking the brains of senior pacers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. He consistently delivered to the Indian top order, which consists of captain Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

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After India were dealt a triple blow on Sunday, Kamboj was added to the squad. Last week, the ball struck Arshdeep Singh in the nets, which has forced him out of the fourth Test. "He (Arshdeep) sustained an impact injury to his left thumb while bowling in the nets at a training session in Beckenham. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress," the statement from BCCI read.

All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has also been ruled out of the series because of a knee injury. Also struggling with a groin injury incurred during the Lord's encounter was Akash Deep, who was in the starting lineup for the last two games, including a game-winning 10-wicket haul in Birmingham.

A fitness test was conducted on Akash during the Manchester training session, despite the BCCI's media release on Monday providing no updates on the right-arm pacer. The TOI report added: "Akash bowled a few deliveries under the watch of bowling coach Morne Morkel and the physio. He, however, didn't do any activity in the nets and is unlikely to feature in the Old Trafford Test."

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India do have a replacement for Nitish, will Shardul Thakur set to take his place in Manchester. He had only appeared in the Leeds series opener last month, the only other game he has played on the tour. Regarding Akash, the management has two choices: Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna.

Although Krishna had participated in the first two games and claimed six wickets, the report also stated that he did not take the new ball in the nets on Tuesday and was only a spectator for the first hour, suggesting that the management is unlikely to assign him to the Manchester encounter.

Before the start of the series, Kamboj was being considered for a place in the Test team. During the two India A tour matches, he impressed by taking five wickets.