Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha injured his hand in a domestic match earlier this week and is in danger of missing the upcoming five-match one-day international series against Sri Lanka.
Saha, 30, was included in the India squad after captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was rested for the ODI series beginning on November 2.
Saha hurt his hand while turning out for East Zone in the four-day Duleep Trophy semi-final against South Zone. He reportedly split the webbing between his right thumb and index finger on the first day of the match on Wednesday and did not come out to bat in the second innings on Friday.
The national selectors are assessing the situation and will be looking at the physio’s report before taking a call on the replacement player.
Saha’s East Zone coach and former India opener Shiv Sundar Das told ESPNcricinfo that the injury was not severe and should heal quickly before the Sri Lanka series begins.
Saha has been a prolific run-getter across formats in the domestic circuit and for Indian Premier League team Kings XI Punjab.
He last turned out in the national colours in June during a one-day series in Bangladesh. He has played two Tests and six one-dayers in all.
Former India batting star VVS Laxman, believes Saha is an asset to the team. “He’s been a fantastic wicketkeeper, a hardworking, professional player with the way he prepares himself,” Laxman said yesterday.
“He’s been very consistent behind the wickets as well as while batting. He played some impact knocks for Kings XI Punjab last season in tough situations,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India released the itinerary for the ODI series against Sri Lanka yesterday.
This series was hastily arranged following the withdrawal of the West Indies team from the tour to India due to a pay dispute. The Sri Lankans will kick-start their tour with a warm-up game against India A on October 30 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
The ODI series will start on November 2 with the first match at Cuttack. Ahmedabad, Hyderabad. Kolkata and Ranchi are the other venues for the four games. The entire series will be a day-night affair
