Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been diligently rehabilitating at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru following a hamstring injury suffered during the initial Test against England. His absence from the second IND vs ENG Test, alongside his ongoing recovery at the NCA, has sparked speculation regarding his availability for the upcoming third Test in Rajkot, commencing on February 15. Despite hailing from Rajkot, Jadeja remains undecided on his participation in the crucial home fixture.
Jadeja, pivotal in the opening match with a stellar performance of 5 wickets and a significant 87 runs in the first innings, faced a setback in the second innings due to a left hamstring injury while running between the wickets.
Offering glimpses into his rehabilitation journey, Jadeja has been actively sharing updates on social media, expressing optimism with a double thumbs-up in a recent post captioned, “Getting better. #NCA.”
However, the timeline for his return remains uncertain, with reports suggesting a typical hamstring injury necessitates 4 to 5 weeks for full recovery. Speculation abounds regarding Jadeja’s focus on attaining complete match fitness rather than rushing back for the IND vs ENG series, with the selection committee poised to announce the squad for the remainder of the Test series.
India grapple with injury woes ahead of third IND vs ENG Test:
Amidst Jadeja’s uncertain status, the Indian Cricket Team grapple with additional injury woes. KL Rahul eyes a comeback for the third Test in Rajkot, while the absence of dependable batsmen, coupled with uncertainty surrounding Virat Kohli’s availability, raises concerns about the team’s batting prowess.
Furthermore, Jasprit Bumrah’s expected absence in the third Test, attributed to workload management, poses strategic challenges for the Indian team, reminiscent of Mohammed Siraj’s exclusion during the Vizag Test.