As India braces for a must-win fourth Test in Manchester, Aakash Chopra has stirred the conversation by questioning the sudden inclusion of Anshul Kamboj in the squad. The former India opener feels there’s a clear lack of transparency in how the team is being selected.
Injuries Shake Up India’s Bowling Plans
The injury list keeps growing. Arshdeep Singh needed stitches after a hand injury in the nets, while Akash Deep is recovering from a groin strain. Nitish Kumar Reddy has already exited the tour with a ligament tear in his knee. These setbacks forced the selectors to bring in Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj as a backup. With India running out of fast bowling options, Kamboj might even debut in Manchester.
Chopra: “Why This U-Turn on Harshit Rana?”
Chopra isn’t buying the explanation—mainly because there hasn’t been one. “Before the series, the team backed Harshit Rana as the backup seamer. He stayed on after the first Test while Anshul Kamboj, despite strong India A performances, was sent back,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“But now, when we’re dealing with injuries, Harshit is nowhere in the frame, and suddenly Kamboj is back. That’s confusing.”
Consistency Missing in Selection Approach
According to Chopra, the logic behind the decisions seems inconsistent. “If you believed in Harshit’s continuity earlier, why not back him now too? First, you ignored Kamboj despite his form. Now, you’ve sidelined Harshit. How does this make sense?”
He believes the selection process should reflect a clear plan, especially in a high-stakes series like this.
Calls Out Lack of Communication
Chopra also took a dig at Gautam Gambhir and the team management for keeping everyone in the dark. “Maybe the management has a plan. But no one is explaining anything. And that’s the real issue—there’s zero communication.”
He clarified that he doesn’t doubt Kamboj’s potential. “Anshul is talented and deserves a spot. But the constant back-and-forth without explanation just adds to the confusion.”
Crunch Time for Team India
India trails 2-1 in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, and the fourth Test begins on July 23 at Old Trafford. With injuries piling up and selection questions dominating headlines, India not only needs to win—they need to show they’ve got their planning sorted too.
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