Ending speculation about Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane’s absence from the continuous warm-up match in Durham, the BCCI has verified that both senior players have suffered minor injuries and are at this time resting.
Captain Virat Kohli had a ‘stiff back’ on Monday and was told to rest from the 3-day clash against a County XI. However, Rahane sustained a ‘mild swelling’ on his left upper hamstring.
The duo is being monitored by the BCCI’s medical staff and is expected to be implemented by the time of the first India-England Test.
“Captain Virat Kohli felt some stiffness in his back on late Monday evening and he has been advised rest from the three-day first-class warm-up game by the BCCI Medical Team,” read an official statement by the BCCI.
“Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has mild swelling around his left upper hamstring. This has been addressed by an injection. He is not available for the three-day first-class warm-up game. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring him, and he is expected to fully recover well in time for the first Test against England starting from 4th August at Nottingham.”
🚨 Updates regarding Team India’s three-day warm-up game in Durham.https://t.co/jkloxEOmda
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 20, 2021
The BCCI also revealed the reason behind Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan playing for the County XI.
“The ECB made a request to the Indian team management to let two players from the Indian contingent play for County Select XI after some of their players were deemed to be unavailable either due to injury or close contacts of a Covid-19 positive person. Accordingly, Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan have been made available to play for their team.”
Rohit Sharma leading the team in Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane’s absence
FIFTY for @klrahul11 in the three-day warm-up game at Durham.#TeamIndia 145/4 pic.twitter.com/m8iMKWfRBL
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 20, 2021
Limited-overs vice-captain and senior opening batter Rohit Sharma is leading Team India in Durham in Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane’s absence. Hanuma Vihari and KL Rahul have replaced them in the middle order.
Sharma won the toss, elected to bat first, and put up a 33-run stand with Mayank Agarwal. Though, both openers got out in quick succession for 9 and 28 runs, respectively.
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