In a dramatic change, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubman Gill, Axar Patel, and Ishant Sharma are all expected to miss India’s next tour to South Africa owing to injury issues. These players took part in the recent Test series between India and New Zealand. Furthermore, all 4 are now set to be on the sidelines for an extended period of time.
For the uninitiated, India is set to travel to South Africa for 3 Tests and 3 ODIs beginning December 26. With so many young players demonstrating their worth in the Test side, the Chetan Sharma-led selection panel would have had a difficult job limiting down the lineup. But, the injuries suffered by these 4 people made their task much simpler.
According to the source, Jadeja has a ligament injury and will be out for a length of time, whereas Axar has a stress fracture. Since South African grounds aren’t known for supporting spinners, Axar and Jadeja’s unavailability isn’t likely to have a significant impact on the Indian team. Furthermore, Ravi Ashwin and Jayant Yadav remain on the team.
Importantly, Jadeja did not play in the 2nd Test versus New Zealand, having Jayant Yadav taking his place as the team’s 3rd specialist spin bowler.
India may not miss Jadeja much in the Test series
“All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja suffered a right forearm injury during the 1st Test match in Kanpur. After undergoing scans, he was diagnosed with a swelling on his forearm. He has been advised rest and is thus ruled out of the 2nd Test in Mumbai,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had stated in a release ahead of the start of the Mumbai Test. Ishant Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane were both ruled out owing to injury.
India may not miss Jadeja much in the Test series, the lefty’s ligament strain is likely to sideline the all-rounder out for months. On the other side, Axar is projected to be back in the game within 6 weeks.
Discussing Gill, the opener’s shin problem, which kept him out of England’s campaign previously this year, has revived. Ishant Sharma missed the Mumbai Test as well owing to a side discomfort. The same thing might restrict him from playing in South Africa’s Tests.
