The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced on Monday, July 26 that Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw have been selected by the All-India Senior Selection Committee to join the Indian Test squad in England as replacements for Washington Sundar and Shubman Gill respectively.
Informing about the ruling out of Sundar from the Test series, the BCCI in a press release said, “All-rounder Washington Sundar had taken an injection on his right-hand bowling finger. However, his recovery will take longer than expected and he is not bowling-fit. He is ruled out of the remainder of the tour.”
The Board further confirmed that although Avesh Khan was not part of the regular squad and was there on the tour as a reserve player, no replacement has been sent for him.
Informing about Avesh’s injury and subsequent ruling out from any further participation in any activity in England, BCCI said, “Fast bowler Avesh Khan suffered a blow to his left thumb on Day 1 of the warm-up game. He was taken for an X-Ray and the result confirmed a fracture. A specialist was consulted for further management of his injury. He is ruled out of India’s Tour of England.”
While Shubman Gill has been ruled out after the World Test Championship itself, the cricket governing body in India had earlier decided not to send any replacement. But further injuries plus a Covid-19 positive test of Rishabh Pant and subsequent isolation of Abhimanyu Easwaran and Wriddhiman Saha forced BCCI to change its mind.
Both Surya and Shaw have been doing well on the Sri Lanka tour and seemed to be rewarded for it by the call up to England.
India’s squad: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Md. Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prithvi Shaw, Suryakumar Yadav
Standby players: Prasidh Krishna, Arzan Nagwaswalla