The Injury news kept coming, one after the other, from the Indian Cricket team’s camp in the UK lately. Hence, the announcement for the replacement of the injured players was being anticipated. A BCCI official has made it clear that Prithvi Shaw and Devdutt Padikkal are flying to the UK. He added that the names of Jayant Yadav and Suryakumar Yadav are also in the discussions.
Initially when the news of Shubhman Gill’s injury came out, it was being said that Prithvi Shaw will replace Shubhman. Though a BCCI official later cleared that there won’t be any replacement for Shubhman. But recently during the 3-day practice game when two more Indian players got injured, it was clear that the replacements have to be called.
Injuries ahead of the India vs England test series 2021
Shubhman caught the injury during the WTC final which was played last month. The opener suffered from a stress fracture on his left shin. Even after a month of recovery period, he was not found fit and hence ruled out of the 5-match test series. Shubham is already back home. The two other players, Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan both have sustained finger injuries. They will be back home soon. Both the players caught the injuries while playing the Practice game.
With as many as three injured players, the team India management requested the BCCI for 2 openers and an off-spinner as replacements. The BCCI initially turned down the request of the management for the replacement of Shubhman Gill. But now, the board is making arrangements to send the three aforesaid players to England.
Prithvi Shaw and Devdutt Padikkal are currently in Srilanka for the ODI & T20 series. The tour ends on July 29. But it is being reported that both the players will immediately leave for England, within 24 hours. They will undergo the mandatory 10-day quarantine and will be available for selection from the 2nd test onwards.
Recent Form of the replacement players
Prithvi Shaw is in good touch and team India can benefit from his good form if they give him a chance. Shaw has a fifty and a 40+ score in the recent ODI series against Srilanka. Devdutt Padikkal did not get a chance in the ODI series but surely is in a good form, given his recent form in the IPL and Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021.
Jayant Yadav, whose last test outing was in the test series against Australia in 2017, is currently in India. He comes in the team as the replacement of Washinghton Sundar. Jayant Yadav would still act as a back-up option for Ravindra Jadeja in case of any injuries to the latter. Prithvi Shaw comes in as the replacement of Shubhman Gill though him getting a chance is not sure with Mayank Aggarwal in the squad already. The same is with Devdutt Padikkal whose chances of being in the playing XI are scarce.
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Though with Rahane having some fitness issues, you never know who gets a chance if he needs to be replaced. Ajinkya Rahane is facing some issues with his hamstring and might need a replacement at some point in the series. The name of Suryakumar Yadav is also in the discussions for the same.
The most-awaited ENG vs IND 5-match Test Series gets underway at Trent Bridge, Nottingham form the 4th of August.