It seems to be a huge blow for Team India as their premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is uncertain to take part in the fourth Test against England.

As per a report in The Times of India, Ashwin is currently undergoing treatment for a groin injury which he suffered during the third Test and a final call over his participation in the next game will be taken only after the team starts practicing.

Ashwin was seen struggling with his fitness during India’s 203-run victory over England in the Nottingham Test. The off-spinner claimed just one wicket in the match. While Ashwin bowled only one over in England's first innings, he bowled 22.5 overs in the second essay and bagged the solitary scalp of James Anderson to seal the deal for India.

If Ashwin doesn’t manage to regain his full fitness ahead of the fourth Test, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja will be an automatic replacement for him as he is the only specialist spinner in the 18-member squad. Jadeja, who has taken 171 wickets in 36 Tests, is yet to play a match on the tour.

In the second Test at Lord’s, Kuldeep Yadav was preferred over Jadeja in the playing XI. Meanwhile, if Ashwin is declared fit for the next game then Jadeja could very well end up the series without playing a single game. He has already lost his place in India’s limited-overs team.

Both India and England had announced their squads for the fourth Test. While India had drafted in Prithvi Shaw and Hanuma Vihari in the squad to replace Murali Vijay and Kuldeep Yadav, England had recalled James Vince for Jamie Porter.

Southampton will host the fourth Test between India and England from Thursday (August 30).