The nine-day gap between the third and fourth Test in the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy allowed a chance for players from both India and England to regroup and rest their bodies following a heavy workload, but for the visiting team, it has done anything but that and infact, sparked an injury crisis.

After Rishabh Pant hurt his finger and did not keep wickets at Lord's, his fitness status ahead of the fourth Test scheduled to start on Wednesday (June 23) at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester remains a mystery.

Since then, it has also emerged that Arshdeep Singh, who did not play a single match and was awaiting a Test debut, injured himself in training after suffering a cut on his bowling hand. Meanwhile, Akash Deep, the star of India's win at Edgbaston, also suffered an injury blow at Lord's and is unlikely to feature in Manchester.

Things went from bad to worse for India as star all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy reportedly suffered a knee injury during training and is set to miss the rest of the series.

This leaves India with a massive selection dilemma ahead of the Old Trafford Test, and despite Jasprit Bumrah fit to play, the Shubman Gill-led side could be forced into a minimum of three changes.

India's Playing XI Options To Deal With Injury Crisis

The easiest option for Team India will be to play the same combination, even if it comes at the cost of individual quality, and make three changes, which will mean Pant, Nitish, and Akash miss out and are replaced by Dhruv Jurel, Shardul Thakur, and Prasidh Krishna

While Pant's ability to keep wickets is in question, as she showed in Lord's, he is still unbothered with the bat. There is little to question that the 27-year-old is India's best batter in the longest format of the game, and even if he cannot keep wickets, the visitors will be desperate to have him with the bat. This could mean playing Pant as a specialist batter with Jurel taking the gloves. With Karun Nair's spot in the team in trouble, it will not be a big headache for India to fit both players in the line-up. Another option will be Jurel to replace Nitis, allowing the team to strengthen their batting with Nair also present, or a recall for Sai Sudharsan at number three.

Among the boldest calls India have made in the series so far has been the decision not to include Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI in any of the matches despite them playing with two spinners in both Edgbaston and Lord's. While there is no doubt that Kuldeep is India's second-best wicket-taking option after Bumrah, the team have instead opted for the extra cushion with the bat.

The absence of Nitish could make way for Kuldeep, although this will mean that India take the call of playing three spinners, which will be unprecedented away from Asia. Although they will still have three pace bowling options in the playing XI.

Kuldeep could come in for Washington if India decides to play a specialist batter (Jurel or Sudharsan) in place of Nitish.

In the aftermath of the injuries to Arshdeep and Akash Deep, India were quick to run a SOS and call up Anshul Kamboj to the squad. The pacer has received a maiden call-up to the national team after impressing in the 'A' team tour last month, following a record-breaking season with the ball in domestic cricket.

A debut for Kamboj cannot be ruled out following Prasidh's struggles in the first two games. Not only does Kamboj's bowling style suit English conditions, but he will also bring control to the table. He is also a handy batter, which will help India balance their playing XI and ensure they do not end up playing with a long tail.

Option 1 - KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna/Anshul Kamboj

Option 2 - KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna/Anshul Kamboj

Option 3- KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair/Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna/Anshul Kamboj

Option 4 - KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair/Sai Sudharsan/Dhruv Jurel, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krisha