ENG vs IND 2025: Reports: Nitish Kumar Reddy set to be ruled out of England tour, citing knee injury

Published - 20 Jul 2025, 23:09 IST | Updated - 20 Jul 2025, 23:10 IST

Star all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is reportedly set to be ruled out of the remainder of the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy due to a knee injury. The news comes ahead of India's must-win fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Reddy’s injury, sustained during an indoor training session on Sunday, has added to India’s growing list of injury concerns. According to an ESPNcricinfo report, the 22-year-old injured his left knee while working out in the gym, and subsequent scans have shown signs of ligament damage. The details of the injury are yet to be confirmed, but the signs indicate that Reddy will miss not just the fourth Test (July 23–27), but possibly the final Test as well.

Earlier, the visitors had already called up Anshul Kamboj as injury cover for the pace department. This came after fitness concerns for Akash Deep (groin issue) and Arshdeep Singh (injury to bowling hand), both of whom are also doubtful for the Old Trafford clash.

After missing the first Test in Leeds, Reddy featured in the second Test at Edgbaston and the following game at Lord’s. In the third Test, he dismissed both England openers, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, in the same over in the first innings, and got Crawley again in the second. He also contributed with the bat, scoring 30 and 13, and looked to retain his place for the fourth Test.

Anshul Kamboj added to India's squad for England series

However, with this injury setback, India may now look to bring back Shardul Thakur as the seam-bowling all-rounder. If wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant remains unfit to take gloves due to his finger issue, Dhruv Jurel may also come into contention.

Meanwhile, Akash Deep, who played a crucial role in the second Test win at Birmingham with a 10-wicket match haul, was off-colour at Lord’s and is now suffering from fitness issues. Arshdeep, who looked like a possible replacement, hurt his hand during training and has not bowled since.

With Jasprit Bumrah’s workload being carefully managed and Mohammed Siraj having bowled the most overs in the series so far, India’s fast-bowling resources are being limited. The team management has indicated that Bumrah is likely to return for the Manchester Test, given the must-win situation. As England leads the series 2-1, India will need to regroup quickly and make some tough selection decisions. The limited resources. might see the team bringing pacer Prasidh Krishna back in the XI.