As per the reports of Indian Express, Team India has suffered a huge blow ahead of the much-awaited South Africa tour as four of their key members – Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shubman Gill, and Ishant Sharma are likely to be ruled out of the series. All of these players were part of the squad for the recently-concluded two-match Test series against New Zealand. It is also believed that injuries to several players have prompted BCCI senior selection committee to delay naming the India squad for the South Africa tour.
As per the report – Ravindra Jadeja suffered a ligament tear that will take months to heal and if he undergoes surgery, he will only get fit before the Indian Premier League (IPL) next year. He missed the second Test in Mumbai. Meanwhile, Axar is also suffering from a stress fracture which takes a minimum of six weeks to recuperate.
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Axar Patel has scalped 36 wickets in five Tests at an outstanding average of 11.86. He had also scalped 5 fifers in his short career so far. In its press release before the Mumbai Test, the BCCI had revealed that Jadeja had a swelling in the forearm.
The BCCI release read: “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.”
Another unfortunate development was about opener Shubman Gill’s injury which resurfaced during the New Zealand Test series. His shin injury had earlier ruled him out of the England tour earlier this year. The veteran fast bowler – Ishant Sharma, who missed the Mumbai Test versus the Black Caps due to a side strain, is also doubtful for the trip to South Africa.
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Ishant is no longer a certainty in the Indian Test playing XI and the rise of Mohammed Siraj as a fast bowler in Tests has put a question mark on the former’s future in the longer format. India is scheduled to tour South Africa for three Tests and as many ODIs, starting from December 26 at the SuperSport Park, Centurion.
