The Indian all-rounder, Axar Patel has been ruled out of the first Test of the four-match series against England. He was seen complaining of having some knee pain during the team’s optional training on Thursday. He has been monitored by the BCCI Medical Team as he was expected to make his debut in the Chennai Test.

In a statement regarding the injury of Axar Patel, BCCI said, “Axar Patel has been ruled out of the first Paytm Test against England. The all-rounder complained of pain in his left knee during Team India’s optional training session on Thursday. He is being monitored by the BCCI Medical Team and while his detailed reports are awaited, he will not be available for selection for the opening match.”

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BCCI has further included spinners Shahbaz Nadeem and Rahul Chahar to the Indian Test squad. Describing the same, the statement read: “The All-India Senior Selection Committee has added spinners Shahbaz Nadeem and Rahul Chahar to India’s squad. Both Nadeem and Chahar have been training with Team India as part of the standby group of players.”

The first Test of the series has started at the MA Chidambaram stadium on Friday. The opening Test will be played behind closed doors while from the second Test, 50 percent crowd will be allowed to witness the game live,  the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) secretary confirmed on Tuesday. Both the Tests will be played at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai followed by the last two being played at the new Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad. 

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India’s squad for first two Tests: Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Wriddhiman Saha, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shahbaz Nadeem, Rahul Chahar.