Manchester: India captain Shubman Gill reaffirmed his backing for under-pressure middle-order batsman Karun Nair and hinted at a potential debut for young allrounder Anshul Kamboj as India gears up for a must-win fourth Test against England at Old Trafford.
Gill said the team remained confident in Nair despite recent struggles with conversion. "He's batting well. Sometimes it’s just about getting that one big innings to get back into the zone," Gill said, as India looked to recalibrate its middle order after squandering key moments in earlier matches.
Kamboj, the 23-year-old seam-bowling allrounder, has also come into serious contention. "He’s very close," the skipper noted, adding that the final decision on his inclusion would be taken on match morning.
Addressing a media interaction ahead of the crucial Test, Gill emphasised the importance of execution over selection. "More important than who is playing is how they are playing," he said. "In most conditions, nine or ten players in the XI remain constant, with only one or two changes depending on the pitch or injuries."
India, trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, has often found itself ahead in sessions only to lose momentum due to poor timing. "There were several sessions where we were ahead, but losing wickets before or after breaks hurt us. It’s something we have discussed – we need to start and finish sessions better," Gill explained.
On the playing conditions in Manchester, Gill noted that the Old Trafford wicket wasn’t overly damp despite persistent rain, but added that the overhead conditions could assist bowlers. “It’s generally a quicker pitch here with more bounce and seam,” he said.
He confirmed that pacer Arshdeep Singh will miss the fourth Test due to injury. The final playing XI will be decided based on the balance between spin and pace, with Washington Sundar also under consideration. “We want to leave a bit of mystery,” Gill said with a smile.
Reflecting on the demands of Test captaincy, Gill admitted it had been mentally intense. “Physically it’s been less tiring than I thought, but mentally it’s more involving. You’re thinking all the time,” he said.
Earlier in the week, the Indian team visited Manchester United Football Club. "It’s always great to share experiences and learn how similar the mental approach is across disciplines," Gill said, calling the visit refreshing.
With the series on the line, Gill remained hopeful: "We’ve enjoyed the three Tests so far, learnt a lot, and we’re hopeful that the next two go our way."
