Kolkata: India’s premier fast bowler Mohammed Shami and first-choice wicket keeper Wriddhiman Saha has been ruled out from the fifth test against England which is scheduled to be held in Chennai.
Both of these cricketers were not part of the playing 11 against England in the fourth test.
The 26- year old pacer has been brilliant for India in the ongoing test series against England and is responsible for providing one of the most memorable moments of the series, when he bowled a peach of a delivery to not only rattle but also break English skipper Alastair Cook’s off stump during the second test in Vizag. He has been a vital cog in the Indian bowling line-up and he along with Umesh Yadav has provided crucial breakthroughs whenever the team needed it.
However, he is suffering from a sore knee and has been advised rest and rehabilitation, keeping in mind the upcoming gruelling test series at home against Australia. Sending him for rehabilitation is a good option as it would provide him with appropriate time to recover as he is one of India’s best bowlers across all formats.
The BCCI in a statement on Friday said, “He will be going to the National Cricket Academy, Bengaluru to start his recovery programme.”
Wriddhiman Saha, the first choice test wicket keeper was unfit and was not a part of the Indian squad that took the field against England for the third test in Mohali. He suffered from a hamstring injury during the second test against England in Vizag. He is undergoing rehabilitation in the NCA.
His replacement, Parthiv Patel, who was drafted into the squad for the third test against England has done a pretty good job both as a wicket keeper and as a batsman.He scored a fluent 42 in the first innings and guided India to victory with a sublime knock of 67* in the second innings. He is a part of the ongoing fourth test in Mumbai.He also played an important hand in many crucial dismissals in the match.
However, the Indian team might not be missing these two players because they have seemed to found a right balance with the current mix of players.They are leading the series 2-0 and Virat Kohli’s men have been absolutely ruthless against the Englishmen. They are, however well placed to win the fourth test against England.
Indian pacer Ishant Sharma, who had left the squad ahead of the fourth test for his marriage will join the same before the fifth test in Chennai.Also, according to a report from Reuters, fast bowler Shardul Thakur had been named as a back-up for Mohammed Shami ahead of the ongoing fourth test in Mumbai.
The fifth Test is scheduled to start from December 16 in Chennai.