Team India are battling injury issues in the ongoing Test series against England at home. They played the first Test in Hyderabad without their two star players – Virat Kohli and Mohammad Shami.
While Kohli pulled out of the first two Test of the five-match series due to personal reasons, Shami has been out of action with a left ankle injury since his stellar performance in the 2023 World Cup.
After the series opener, the hosts suffered two more blows as Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul were ruled out of the second Test due to hamstring and quadriceps injuries, respectively.
Consequently, the selectors added Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar and Saurabh Kumar to the Indian squad for the second Test, slated to be held in Vizag from February 2 to 6.
According to a Cricbuzz report, the dilemma over the several key players may continue for the remaining three Tests.
Jadeja could be sidelined for an extended period as hamstring issues usually take between 4-8 weeks to heal. The report, citing insiders, claims that it would be remarkable if he manages to be fit for the fourth Test, scheduled to be played in Ranchi from February 23 to 27.
Shami’s situation isn’t encouraging as well. The right-arm pacer is reportedly in London at present, and while there is no information about surgery, he is believed to be undergoing treatments for the ankle with injections. It seems to be quite clear that he will not be available for any match of the ongoing five-Test series.
As far as Kohli is concerned – the batting stalwart is currently out of the country, raising doubt over his availability for the remaining matches. The BCCI press release, however, had mentioned that his withdrawal was only for the first two Tests.
The only positive bit is the update on KL Rahul, who could return for the third Test, due to take place in Rajkot from February 15 to 19.
The BCCI is understood to have taken precautions after Rahul complained of right quadriceps pain, related to the thigh surgery he underwent in 2022. He is currently undergoing rehab at the NCA and is likely to recover for the third Test, considering the nine-day gap between the end of second Test and the start of third Test.
Having lost the opening Test in Hyderabad, India are trailing 0-1 in the five-match series against England.
(With Cricbuzz inputs)
