India Tour of England: Major blow for India, Washington Sundar ruled out of Test series against England – In a major blow for Virat Kohli-led Team India, all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the five-match Test series against England, beginning August 4. He follows Avesh Khan, who has been ruled out with a finger injury. As per a TOI report, Sundar too has suffered a finger injury. Earlier, Shubman Gill had been ruled out due to a stress fracture on the left shin.
While Washington Sundar did field for Select County XI on Thursday, it is reported that he aggravated the injury while batting in the 1st innings. The New Indian Express reported that Sundar felt pain in his finger during the WTC Final and was advised to rest. However, despite the 20-days break, it didn’t heal and during the training sessions, he complained of pain again. It will take him around six weeks to heal and he will be sent home after the warm-up match.
“Yes, Washy has a fractured finger just like Avesh who had a thumb dislocation. Both are out of the Test series and will go home. He will also take at least five weeks to start bowling and so no point keeping them here,” a BCCI official told PTI.
Avesh Khan is the other member of the squad who has had thumb dislocation, ruling him out of the entire series. It comes as a major blow for Virat Kohli’s Team India as the all-rounder has done well in Australia and during India’s home series against England.
India Tour of England: Interestingly, Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan played for Select County XI against India in the practice match. Avesh Khan returned without any success in his 9.25 overs while Washington Sundar scored 1 run off 7 balls and didn’t bowl in the innings. But despite the injured finger, Sundar took the catch of Mayank Agarwal to dismiss him on Thursday.
As per TOI, England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) informed the BCCI about their inability to field 11 players for the warm-up match owing to the ongoing The Hundred, County Championship and T20 Blast. Hence, the BCCI agreed to loan Avesh Khan and Washington Sundar to the Select County XI team.
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India Tour of England: With his injury, the number of players in the squad has come down to 21 with three players injured. While the selectors said no to any replacements for Shubman Gill, it remains to be seen if they say no for any replacements for Washington Sundar, whose absence could be felt greatly as a dependable batsman in the lower order.
“It is too early to talk about replacements. There is still some time and if the situation continues to be bad, then the replacements can be sent so that they are available for the third Test, if not the second,” a BCCI official told The New Indian Express.
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