Ace Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had suffered a minor injury to his bowling hand and did not come out to bat, bowl or field during the practice match against Essex.
Cricket news: Ashwin’s inclusion in the squad for the first Test is in doubts
However Ashwin has recently updated that he has indeed recovered from his injury. Although he is not hundred per cent at this moment, yet he has signalled his inclusion in the squad for the first Test which begins from August 1 at Edgbaston.
Ashwin has been an integral part of the team in recent times as he has not only contributed with the ball but also has made runs with the bat too.
In the tour of West Indies in 2017, he scored a bevy of half-centuries as well as a couple of hundreds as well, as he starred with the bat.
Apart from that, India will be missing their two main pace bowlers in the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah. Bhuvi had previously sustained an injury to his back and has now returned to India for further treatment.
Bumrah had injured his left thumb in the series against Ireland and had undergone surgery. He has still not recovered fully and will not feature in the first Test match.
“Jasprit Bumrah, who has been included in the squad, will be available for selection from the second Test onwards based on his fitness,” the statement from BCCI said.
Although there are a lot of injury concerns in the team, yet Virat Kohli and his Co. are considered to be the favourites in the series as this is their best chance to secure a win in England.