On the heels of the first Test defeat in Hyderabad, India have now suffered a massive blow, with two of their frontline players now ruled out of the second Test, starting at Vizag from Friday.
The BCCI has confirmed that Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul will miss the second Test due to injuries. While Jadeja has injured his hamstring, Rahul has right quadriceps pain.
“Mr Ravindra Jadeja and Mr KL Rahul have been ruled out of the second Test against England in Vizag, starting February 02, 2024,” said the BCCI media release.
It added: “Jadeja sustained a hamstring injury during play on Day 4 of the first Test in Hyderabad while Rahul complained of a right quadriceps pain.”
Sarfaraz Khan, Sourabh Kumar and Washington Sundar have been added to the squad.
Jadeja hurt his hamstring in the 39th over during India’s second innings, as he tried to take a sharp single off Joe Root. Ben Stokes from mid-on pounced on the ball like lightning and effected a run-out via a direct hit. Jadeja left the field clutching his hamstring. He was India’s highest scorer in the first innings, 87, besides taking five wickets in the match.
As for Rahul, who scored 86 in the first innings, he complained of the pain on the fourth day.
India are already without Virat Kohli for the first two Tests. With the team playing catch-up, missing Jadeja and Rahul will compound their problem. “The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring the progress of the duo,” said the release.
Meanwhile, Avesh Khan will continue to travel with his Ranji Trophy team, Madhya Pradesh and will join the Test squad if required.
India’s updated Squad for 2nd Test vs England: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, Sourabh Kumar.