Mohammed Shami and Wriddhiman Saha ruled out of the Chennai Test

It seems as if India’s injury woes will continue when they go into the Chennai Test as Mohammed Shami and Wriddhiman Saha have been ruled out of the final Test against England that starts from December 16.

Shami, who was left out of the Mumbai Test due to a recurring knee injury was replaced by Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the eleven. In fact, the team management had also flown Shardul Thakur in as a backup for Shami a day before the start of the Mumbai Test. The BCCI sent out a Tweet on Sunday with a release saying Shami has "soreness in his right knee and has been advised rest and rehabilitation. He will be going to the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Bengaluru to start his recovery programme."

Wriddhiman Saha, who strained his left thigh during the second Test against England at Vizag, is yet to fully recover from the injury and will not be taking part in the Chennai Test. Saha is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA, and was replaced by Parthiv Patel in Mohali. In fact, Parthiv played a Test for India after a gap of eight years when he turned out for India in Mohali. 

Given the current situation, it’s likely that Parthiv and Bhuvneshwar will retain their spots in the eleven when they go into the final Test at Chennai.

India had also asked Karnataka’s Manish Pandey to be included in the squad for the Mumbai Test after Ajinkya Rahane was ruled out. But it was KL Rahul who replaced Rahane from the eleven of the Mohali Test. Infact, both Pandey and Shardul were playing a Ranji Trophy match and had to leave their respective matches midway in order to turn up for national duty.

However, the injury concerns have not affected the way India has performed in this series for far. Jayant Yadav, the Haryana player who made his debut in his series, has been the find of the series for India. Earlier today, he notched up his maiden Test hundred during India’s first innings at Mumbai. He provided resolute support to skipper Virat Kohli, who scored his third double hundred of the year.

In Mumbai, India took a substantial lead against England in the first innings and have already taken three English wickets with the visitors trailing by 123 runs.  England still have their star batsman Joe Root and Johnny Bairstow at the crease. 

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