India vs England 2025: Probable XI & Updates for July 23 Test

India vs England 2025: Probable XI & Updates for July 23 Test

As India head to Manchester for the fourth Test (July 23, 2025), fans are buzzing over the India vs England 2025 clash. The latest Indian cricket team news is dominated by injuries: Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy have both been ruled out, and Akash Deep is doubtful. We break down the India probable XI (July 23 Test), replacement ideas, pitch conditions, player form and X-factor picks in a fan-friendly style.

Injury News & Replacements

                                                    

India’s bowling line-up took a double hit. Left‑arm seamer Arshdeep Singh suffered a left thumb injury in net practice and will miss the Manchester Test. Times of India reports he was struck on the bowling hand by a teammate’s shot and needed stitches. Similarly, 22-year-old all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the series with a knee ligament injury, and BCCI confirmed he’ll fly home. Both players were key for balance, so their absence forces changes.

Left‑arm quick Akash Deep is also nursing a groin niggle. He’s undergoing intensive fitness tests under coach Morne Morkel, so his spot is uncertain. Reports even suggested India may have to lean heavily on Jasprit Bumrah – originally being managed after back surgery – if Akash can’t bowl much.

With these absences, India have added uncapped pacer Anshul Kamboj to the squad. While Kamboj is an unknown commodity, he at least gives extra seam depth. In place of Reddy’s batting‑allround role, seasoned seamer Shardul Thakur is the most obvious choice to step in – he’s already in the squad and can bat some overs. Washington Sundar or even Karun Nair (a squad member) could also be asked to absorb extra batting responsibility. For Arshdeep’s spot, the selectors could play another seamer (like Thakur or Prasidh Krishna) or even give Kamboj a debut. Either way, fans expect a pace‑heavy XI: as Reuters noted, India might “have no choice but to play Jasprit Bumrah” the whole match.

India Probable XI (Playing XI Prediction)

Considering form and balance, our India probable XI (July 23 Test) might look like this:

Shubman Gill (c) – Opener and captain

Yashasvi Jaiswal – Opener

KL Rahul – Top-order batsman

Sai Sudharsan – Middle-order batsman

Rishabh Pant (wk) – Wicket-keeper batsman (if fit; otherwise Dhruv Jurel)

Ravindra Jadeja – All-rounder (bat + spin)

Washington Sundar – All-rounder (bat + off‑spin)

Kuldeep Yadav – Left‑arm spinner

Jasprit Bumrah – Fast bowler

Mohammed Siraj – Fast bowler

Prasidh Krishna – Fast bowler

This XI packs three spinners (Jadeja, Sundar, Kuldeep) and three seamers (Bumrah, Siraj, Prasidh) to cover all bases. It also keeps a deep batting line-up. Some fans think Karun Nair or Abhimanyu Easwaran could replace Sundar if India wants one fewer spinner and one more batter, but Sundar’s batting offers good depth. Veteran Shardul Thakur might sneak in if India fears batting collapse or needs another seamer.

Key notes: Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant injured his finger at Lord’s, so Dhruv Jurel could keep and Pant bat as a specialist. If that happens, India might shuffle one spot (e.g. drop a bowler). Despite the changes, sources say the full India Test squad for Manchester still lists Jadeja, Sundar, Kuldeep and the seamers – so those names are in contention.

Pitch Expectations at Old Trafford

 The Old Trafford Test pitch was reported as green and damp on July 21. Experts now expect a slow, low wicket rather than a bouncy one.

The Manchester surface looks “green” and the outfield “damp” from recent rain. Overhead, the five-day forecast shows clouds and frequent showers, so play could be disrupted. Crucially, former England quick Steve Harmison predicts Old Trafford has become slow and flat, losing its old pace and bounce. He even suggested that rain on the pitch might be needed to make it lively for bowlers. In short, batsmen could find runs more easily than in past years. Harmison thinks the wicket may end up like Edgbaston: “very similar wicket… very slow, very flat”.

Given this, spinners are likely to play a big role. Several voices are already calling for Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion as a third specialist spinner (along with Jadeja and Sundar) to exploit any turn. England’s quicks also have struggled in recent years on this surface. So India’s pitch plan will hinge on batting depth and maybe a couple of crafty spinners once the pitch softens.

Player Form and Key Batsmen

 India’s batting lineup will revolve around in-form openers and all-rounders. Sai Sudharsan (foreground) made a promise with 30 runs in the first Test, while KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja have been scoring regularly. England’s bowling is not at its best, so every run will count. Witnesses say Jadeja and Sundar can provide crucial runs down the order..

Shubman Gill has scored runs steadily in this series and leads the team. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been in decent touch too. KL Rahul is reliable for big innings. Young Sai Sudharsan showed real promise in the first Test – he made a solid 30 in his first match – and many think he deserves more opportunity (Sanjay Manjrekar publicly backed Sudharsan at No.3). Sudharsan’s aggressive batting is an X-factor itself.

Rishabh Pant is always a wild card; if he keeps, he’ll bat aggressively at 5. His injury is a worry, but if he can only bat, it might free Jurel to keep wicket. In any case, India will need top scores from the likes of Rahul and probably one of Karun Nair or Sudharsan to anchor the innings. India’s bowlers can contribute with the bat too – Jadeja and Sundar are useful hitters at 6-7.

On the bowling front, Jasprit Bumrah is back from injury and will be crucial; he’s freshly returned to form after surgery. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna had uneven outings so far, but they’ll be tested on this day-one friendly pitch. In-squad seamer Thakur is another option if India wants more depth.

X-Factor Picks

India will be looking for game-changers. Sai Sudharsan is one – a positive young batter backed by pundits like Manjrekar. Kuldeep Yadav is another: a left-arm wrist-spinner can be unpredictable and might spark collapses. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar are X-factors with their all‑round skills; either can score quick runs and bowl handy overs. Also watch Anshul Kamboj – the uncapped pacer in the squad – who could debut and add lively pace. And with England’s attack not in top form, veteran Shardul Thakur could surprise if he gets to bowl a couple of spells.

In batting, any young spark – say KL Rahul striking form, or a lower-order cameo from Jadeja – could swing momentum. Given the flat pitch forecast, a large first-innings total is likely, so India will back its batting strength. As one expert noted, on these pitches it’s often wise to play an extra spinner or an extra batter, and India’s mix reflects that strategy.

Predicted Playing XI (July 23 Test)

Putting it all together, our Playing XI prediction (barring any last-minute changes) is:

Shubman Gill (c) – opener, captain

Yashasvi Jaiswal – opener

KL Rahul – batsman

Sai Sudharsan – batsman

Rishabh Pant (wk) – wicketkeeper/batsman

Ravindra Jadeja – all-rounder (batting/left-arm spin)

Washington Sundar – all-rounder (batting/off-spin)

Kuldeep Yadav – left-arm chinaman spinner

Jasprit Bumrah – fast bowler

Mohammed Siraj – fast bowler

Prasidh Krishna – fast bowler

Each player here contributes either top-order runs or bowling strength. If Pant doesn’t keep, Dhruv Jurel will don the gloves. If any change is needed, the obvious swaps are Shardul Thakur for one of the bowlers or Karun Nair for Sundar (giving more batting). But as of now, this balanced XI covers batting depth and a full bowling lineup.

Stay tuned: As the India vs England 2025 series continues, we’ll watch the injury news (e.g. “Arshdeep Singh injury” updates) and squad announcements closely. Our fans’ playing XI prediction will be tested on the field. Whatever happens, India’s fans are hopeful that a leveled 2-2 series will start at Old Trafford with this lineup.

Sources: Latest reports from Reuters, Times of India, NDTV and other cricket news.