India’s vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has been ruled out of the fourth and fifth Tests against England due to a finger injury he suffered during practice on Wednesday.
According to a BCCI press release, Rahane has an avulsion fracture on his right index finger after being stuck during practice at the Wankhede Stadium. This is a big blow for the Indian team and the player himself, who was set to play a Test in his home city for the first time.
Karnataka middle-order batsman Manish Pandey has been named as the replacement for Rahane. Although the 27-year-old has represented the Men in Blue in 12 ODIs and six T20Is, this is his first Test call-up.
Pandey’s first-class record is good – notching up 5,372 runs in 79 matches at an average of 49.28. He is also a two-time winner of the Ranji Trophy, having won the most prestigious competition in Indian domestic cricket in both 2014 and 2015.
NEWS ALERT - @im_manishpandey replaces @ajinkyarahane88, @imShard come in as back up for @MdShami11 for 4th Test @Paytm #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/eFnCMZSfZj
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 7, 2016
The BCCI release also stated that fast bowler Mohammed Shami has a sore knee and is a serious doubt for the fourth Test. Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur has been drafted into the squad as a back-up in case Shami fails to get fit in time.
Thakur was part of the Indian Test squad that toured West Indies earlier this year, but is yet to make his international debut.
The hosts currently lead the series 2-0 heading into the fourth Test of the five-match series that starts at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday.
