As India gear up for the high-stakes final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval, a surprise face has stepped in to provide a timely boost—pace-bowling all-rounder Deepak Chahar. While not part of the official Test squad, Chahar’s presence at Wednesday’s training session offered a much-needed reinforcement amid mounting injury concerns in the Indian camp.
Chahar, who is yet to make his Test debut, rolled his arm over in the nets, helping Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and other top-order batters prepare for England’s pace battery. Known for his swing and control, Chahar’s skillset is particularly valuable in English conditions.
This isn’t his first silent contribution either. He had earlier joined the squad informally at Lord’s ahead of the third Test, bowling extended spells in non-official kit to help the batters prepare.
India’s Bowling Crisis Deepens
India’s pace department has been hit hard by injuries. Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep missed the fourth Test, while pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be rested for the Oval Test due to a minor knee issue. With Mohammed Siraj carrying a heavy workload and Prasidh Krishna still finding rhythm, the presence of someone like Chahar—albeit unofficially—has proved invaluable in training.
Meanwhile, India’s wicketkeeping department has also taken a hit, with Rishabh Pant ruled out due to a toe fracture. Dhruv Jurel is set to replace him, and Narayan Jagadeesan has been brought in as batting cover.
India Chase Series Equilibrium
Trailing 2-1 in the five-match series—with the Manchester Test ending in a dramatic draw—India must win at The Oval to level the series. The team enters the final match with momentum, thanks to brave centuries from Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Shubman Gill in the fourth Test.
However, preparations have been far from smooth. The build-up was marred by a heated exchange between head coach Gautam Gambhir and Oval curator Lee Fortis over restricted pitch access, fueling debates around double standards in treatment between home and visiting teams.
Still, India remain focused on the task at hand, with Deepak Chahar’s quiet but crucial support giving the squad one more edge heading into the finale.
Stay tuned for all the latest Cricket news, match highlights, player analysis and viral moments!