Southampton: Ishant Sharma’s absence in the third Test was felt dearly by India en route their 266-run defeat against England and things stand to get worse in the crucial fourth Test at Manchester beginning August 7.

It has emerged that paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar is battling an injured ankle. However, a team source told mid-day that Bhuvneshwar’s injury is not as serious as Ishant’s and he should be able to make it in time for the Test at Old Trafford.