India vs England Test Series 2018: R Ashwin's Injury Leaves Indian Team In A Spot Ahead of First Test Match at Edgbaston
Will R Ashwin fit the bill in the first Test match or not, is for skipper Kohli to decide. As for the injury that he sustained, it was declared to be a minor one by the Indian team physio.
The Indian team might face a significant setback going into the first Test match against England in the five-match series. India’s first-choice spinner in Test matches, Ravichandran Ashwin, has suffered a minor injury on his hand, which saw him sit in the hut on day two of the practice match against Essex in England.
In order to avoid the further aggravation of the injury, Ashwin did not take the field on day two of the game. The minor injury occurred on his bowling (right) hand during the nets session, earlier on Thursday. However, the Indian team management clarified later that the physio had a good look at it and it was only a minor injury.
Nonetheless, with all the hue and cry about the injury scare, Ashwin was seen bowling in the nets during the lunch break. The injury scare is not the sole reason for Ashwin might not be able to take the field in the first Test match against England at Edgbaston, scheduled to begin on August 1.
India’s premier spin-bowler, Ashwin, is currently fighting for his spot with rookie Kuldeep Yadav. It will be a tough choice for skipper Virat Kohli to select two players amongst Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, and R Ashwin for the two spots (No. 7 and 8) available in the Indian team.
India, under the captaincy of Kohli, would be looking to begin on a winning note when taking the field against England in the first Test match, starting on Wednesday, i.e. on August 1. Will the minor injury play its part in keeping Ashwin out or Kuldeep Yadav’s terrific form is for time to tell!
However, with Virat Kohli having ample choices at his disposal ahead of this crucial Test series, is a good sign for Indian cricket. Skipper Kohli has shown a penchant for tinkering with the line-ups in the past.
Will R Ashwin fit the bill in the first Test match or not, is for the Indian team management to decide. As for the injury that he sustained, it was declared to be a minor one by the Indian team physio.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 27, 2018 11:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).