India’s first choice spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin has sustained a minor injury during the three-day practice game against Essex ahead of the five-match Test series against England.
Ashwin didn’t take the field on the second day of the game to avoid further injury. He sustained an injury on the right hand during a net session ahead of the second day’s play.
However, the team management later revealed that physio had a look at Ashwin’s injury. He said that it is a minor injury and he is likely to be fit for the first Test.
Later on, Ravichandran Ashwin also bowled at the nets during the lunch break. The management didn’t want to take any further risk of fielding him on the second day.
Meanwhile, India is already missing Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah due to injury. While Kumar will miss the first three Tests, Bumrah is likely to be available for the second Test.
With the condition prevailing in England currently, the spinners are likely to play a pivotal role. As witnessed in the limited-overs series, the pitch will offer some assistance to the spinners. As a result, India have named three spinners in the form of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav in the squad.
Jadeja to replace Ashwin
With conditions likely to assist the spinners, it will be a huge blow for India if Ashwin fails to make the cut. He is the most experienced campaigner and can win matches from any situation.
If Ashwin fails to recover from the injury for the opener, India have the luxury to play Ravindra Jadeja.
Jadeja is also an experienced campaigner and has previous experience of playing in this conditions. Meanwhile, he has struggled in recent time as he was a mere passenger in the South Africa tour. It will be a golden opportunity for the spinner to seal his berth in the team.