Ajinkya Rahane, Indian Test vice-captain is showing signs of recovery from the hamstring niggle and has started practicing ahead of the first Test against England starting in Nottingham from August 4 as there is finally some good news in store for India’s Test team, currently training in Durham after 3 players were ruled out due to injuries sustained in the WTC Final and practice game.
Ajinkya Rahane himself didn’t play India’s first-class game against Select County XI because of a “mild swelling around his left upper hamstring.” He was administered an injection to reduce the swelling and the pain associated with the injury. It was learned that Ajinkya Rahane has returned to practice on the day and apart from fielding and physical training sessions, he also had a proper net session at the Riverside Ground of Durham County.
Ajinkya Rahane May Play 1st Test Against England
While Suryakumar Yadav is being flown in alongside opener Prithvi Shaw as a middle-order cover but Ajinkya Rahane’s recovery is a good sign as the Indian vice-captain looks like a likely starter in Nottingham. In any case, Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav are unlikely to reach Nottingham before the start of the first Test as they will have to undergo hard quarantine before being merged into the bio-bubble.
In any case, if Ajinkya Rahane happens to miss out, KL Rahul will be the first-choice replacement in the middle-order. Mayank Agarwal is set to reclaim his opener’s slot alongside Rohit Sharma while Mohammed Siraj is also in the mix to start against England as Jasprit Bumrah’s recent form isn’t much to cheer about.
Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, And Avesh Khan Were Ruled Out From England Tour After Suffering Injuries
Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, and Avesh Khan have been ruled out from the ongoing tour after suffering injuries. The Test series is due to start on August 4. While Shubman Gill was ruled out due to shin splints suffered during the World Test Championship final against New Zealand, Avesh Khan dislocated a thumb during the warm-up game against County XI while Washington Sundar aggravated his finger injury.
Suryakumar Yadav’s assertive batting could be used during some point in the series as Ajinkya Rahane’s hamstring injury will keep the team concerned. Ajinkya Rahane missed the three-day warm-up game due to a hamstring niggle.
Ajinkya Rahane is one of the vital members of the team not only in the batting department but also with regard to leadership. He is rock solid and compact in his defence and also a very good player especially away from home, as his record speaks for himself.
The team management didn’t want to risk their star player aggravating the niggle further and, hence he was given an injection to reduce the pain and swelling, which he had during the practice game in Durham. But there is hope and optimism among the Indian team that the vice-captain will play in the first Test.