Vizag: Already dealing with a barrage of injuries and key player withdrawals, the Indian cricket team faces a more challenging situation than anticipated as they prepare for the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam this Friday. The absence of crucial players, including Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Shami, is set to test the resilience of the team in the ongoing five-Test series.
The combination of captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid, already one match down in the series, finds itself confronting the formidable England side led by Ben Stokes without the services of some regular players.
According to Cricbuzz report, Jadeja’s hamstring injury may necessitate a more extended recovery period than initially expected, potentially sidelining him for a considerable duration. Insiders hint that it would be a remarkable turnaround if Jadeja manages to regain fitness for the fourth Test in Ranchi from February 23 to 27, making his participation in the third Test in Rajkot highly doubtful. The recent BCCI media release only confirms his absence for the upcoming second Test.
The situation with Mohammed Shami appears equally concerning, with the pacer struggling with an ankle issue during landing. Currently in London, Shami is reportedly undergoing treatments for the ankle, and while there is no clarity on the need for surgery, it seems unlikely that he will be available for any match in the ongoing Test series. The question of his readiness for the Indian Premier League (IPL) in March to May remains unanswered.
Virat Kohli’s absence remains shrouded in mystery, with the BCCI requesting privacy. While details of the reasons behind his withdrawal are undisclosed, it has been confirmed that Kohli is currently out of the country, casting doubt on his availability for the remaining matches. Initially, the BCCI had only declared his absence for the first two Tests.
On a relatively brighter note, KL Rahul’s status seems less alarming, with indications suggesting he could be ready for the third Test starting on February 15. The BCCI cites right quadriceps pain, related to a thigh surgery in 2022, as the reason for his concern. Taking precautions, Rahul is currently associated with the National Cricket Academy (NCA), and the expectation is that he will recover in time for the third Test, benefiting from the substantial gap between the second and third matches.