Big Trouble for India: Injury Woes Push Team Back in the Match — Can Shubman and His Boys Stage a Comeback?

Trailing in the Test series against England, Team India has been battling not just with performance issues but also a string of injuries during the Manchester Test. In the fourth match of the series, while Indian batters initially failed to impress and the bowlers didn’t find easy success either, injuries to key players have compounded the team’s challenges. 

Over the first three days of the match, three Indian players have sustained injuries, further deepening the team’s concerns.

The Manchester Test began with an injury setback for Team India. On the first day, during the third session, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant suffered a leg injury while attempting a reverse sweep against Chris Woakes. The ball struck Pant’s right leg, later diagnosed as a fracture. Doctors have advised a six-week recovery period away from the field. Despite the injury, Pant returned to bat and scored a valiant half-century. However, his condition remains a major concern for the team.

On the third day, Team India faced more setbacks. The troubles started with star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. There had already been discussions around Bumrah’s workload, and this match made it more evident. His bowling in England’s first innings lacked the pace and sharpness seen in match. When India took the second new ball on Day 3, Bumrah bowled just one over before walking off the field, complaining of pain in his left ankle after returned to bowl later in the third session, it was visible discomfort in his run-up and expression.

Another key fast bowler, Mohammed Siraj, is also battling fitness issues. He has played all four Tests consecutively and bowled the most overs for India in each match. By the end of the second session on Day 3, after finishing the 99th over of the innings, Siraj was visibly struggling to walk and had to be escorted back to the dressing room. Though he returned to the field after a short break, his condition has undoubtedly raised fitness concerns for the team management.

These injury woes have added to the mounting pressure on Team India, already grappling with inconsistent performances in the ongoing series.