The first Test between India and England ended in a stalemate as rains played a spoilsport at Nottingham. The Men in Blue needed 157 runs to win with 9 wickets in hand on Day 5. However, it drizzled continuously and the game was called off. The second Test is scheduled to start on August 12th at Lords. Both India and England ran their training session on Tuesday, August 10th. It turns out, both the teams have some major injury concerns ahead of the second Test. Here is Why Broad And Thakur Missing The ENG vs IND 2nd Test.
Why Broad And Thakur Missing The ENG vs IND 2nd Test
Prime pacer Stuart Broad’s injury will be the main concern for the hosts ahead of the second Test against India. Broad, who was set to play his 150th Test for England, twisted his calf after slipping while taking a warm-up jog. It so happened, that the 35-year-old was unable to put any weight on his right leg after the injury. As reported by the Guardian, the English bowler will undergo a scan on Wednesday to understand the depth of the injury.
England will be hoping that the scan doesn’t show any serious damage to the calf or the Achilles tendon. If that is the case, then Broad might miss the remaining four Tests against India. England will have to choose from Craig Overton and Mark Wood as Broad’s replacements. The hosts can also replace Broad with a spinner. Jack Leach and Dom Bess are two of the frontrunners in the spinning department who can replace Broad. Moeen Ali, who was added to the squad on Wednesday morning, can also replace Broad.
As for India, Shardul Thakur is picked up a hamstring injury which can keep him out of the second Test. Ace Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who missed out on the first Test, can replace Thakur in the second Test.
Ashwin can prove to be the right choice for the Men in Blue as the weather is tipped to be very hot in the second Test and there is a high chance that the pitch will favor spin. Ishant Sharma was also seen hitting the nets at Lord’s. 32-year-old Ishant can also be an alternative for the injured Shardul.
However, there is also good news for the Indians. Opener Mayank Agarwal has reportedly recovered from his concussion which he suffered after taking a blow on the helmet by bowler Mohammed Siraj.
Also read: T. Natarajan: Lifestyle And Net Worth