The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has reached a significant stage with two games remaining to be played. The hosts, England, currently lead the 5-match Test series 2-1, having won the 1st and 3rd Tests at Headingley and Lord’s by 5 wickets and 22 runs, respectively. India, on the other hand, which had a golden opportunity to have an unassailable lead of 3-0, will now unfortunately head into Old Trafford, Manchester, to square the series 2-2.

Anshul Kamboj in Test Squad

With injuries compounding in the pace department, as Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh both being ruled out of the 4th Test, India has called up Haryana seamer Anshul Kamboj as a cover-up, and the 24-year-old is straightaway in the reckoning to be part of the India playing XI for the 4th Test. Nobody was expecting Anshul Kamboj in Test squad as an Indian fast bowler.

Why Picking Anshul Kamboj in Test Squad?

With multiple injury scars in the Indian camp, everyone will be wondering, what will be India’s playing XI for the 4th Test? All-rounder Nitish Reddy has been ruled out of the England Tour with a knee injury, while Akash Deep (Groin injury) and Arshdeep Singh (Thumb injury) are sidelined for the 4th Test.

Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah and series-leading wicket-taker Mohammed Siraj will make the pace forefront, while the question mark rises: Who will be the 3rd Indian fast bowler? Whether they will pick uncapped Anshul Kamboj in Test starting line-up or stick to Prasidh Krishna, who has taken 6 wickets across 4 innings in the series. It will be known only at the toss time.

Anshul Kamboj has been fantastic for Haryana in the Ranji Trophy. 🔥

Will he make his international debut on the England tour? 👀#Cricket #Kamboj #India #Test pic.twitter.com/oBWYSpX3EN

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) July 20, 2025

Anshul Kamboj was with the India A squad that played against England Lions before the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Kamboj, who got into the side based on the merit of strong domestic performances, impressed with his accuracy, where he picked up 5 wickets and also made 76 runs across 3 innings.

Anshul Kamboj made his first-class debut for Haryana in 2022. A season later, he played a pivotal role for Haryana in lifting the Vijay Hazare Title, where he picked up 17 wickets in 10 matches. He got a major lime light when he made a mark in the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy, picking up 34 wickets in 6 matches with the historic best figures of 10 for 49 in an innings, becoming the only 3rd bowler in the tournament history to achieve the feat after Premangsu Chatterjee and Pradeep Sunderam.

Anshul Kamboj comes to the team India with the approval of CSK captain MS Dhoni, who complimented his seam movement.

– ESPN Report. pic.twitter.com/H6tyayWwKK

— ` (@WorshipDhoni) July 22, 2025

He again impressed in the 2024/25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, guiding Haryana to the Semi-finals, where they lost to eventual champions Karnataka. Kamboj finished as the leading wicket-taker for the side with 17 scalps. He also represented Mumbai Indians (2024) and Chennai Super Kings (2025) in the cash-rich Indian Premier League, taking 10 wickets overall from 11 matches.

Will Anshul Kamboj get an India Test cap at Old Trafford? https://t.co/hQudA6OdwW #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/OOeMbYZOVR

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 22, 2025

His remarkable domestic performances over the last two seasons were enough for the National selectors to hand him a maiden Test call-up. With the 3rd Indian fast bowler spot up for grabs, Anshul Kamboj is close to getting picked in the India playing XI for 4th Test.

Related Article：England vs India 4th Test Prediction：Can India Finally Win at Old Trafford?

Toss Up Between Prasidh Krishna and Anshul Kamboj

Prasidh Krishna bowled selflessly in the 1st and 2nd Tests, where he was asked to bowl more short-pitch deliveries on the flat batting decks. He did what he was asked for, but he wasn’t accurate to English batters, who mercilessly thrashed him for runs. The Karnataka pacer ended up being costly, going at 5.33 runs an over in 2 Tests overall.

 

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With Jasprit Bumrah coming back into the side and Akash Deep getting established with a strong performance in the Edgbaston Test, Prasidh was forced to sit out in the 3rd Test at Lord’s, which India lost by 22 runs on the final session of the 5th day.

If he gets included in the India playing XI for 4th Test, they need to be aware that he will be going for runs. So they need to have a backup ready with Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep not available for the 4th Test. He will be fighting alongside rookie Anshul Kamboj for the sole Indian fast bowler spot.

 

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Prasidh is more of a deck hitter, while Anshul Kamboj is a disciplined bowler, who will swing both ways. Having seen Prasidh leaking runs already in the series, Anshul Kamboj in Test line-up is a good choice. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, who is known for taking bold calls, is keen to include the Haryana fast bowler in the India playing XI for 4th Test. Who will be a great fit for the 4th Test? Whether Prasidh’s experience or Kamboj’s freshness, the decision is in front of the management to pick any one of them.

India Probable Playing XI for the 4th Test