India’s full-time captain Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the first Test match against Bangladesh. Rohit had suffered a thumb injury in the second ODI against the Tigers and had flown back to Mumbai. Tamil Nadu’s Abhimanyu Easwaran replaces Rohit for the first Test match.
Mohammed Shami (shoulder) and Ravindra Jadeja (knee) haven’t yet fully recovered from their respective injuries. Navdeep Saini and spinner Saurabh Kumar have been named as replacements for the experienced duo.
Jaydev Unadkat, who has been performing consistently in the domestic circuit, has received his chance in the squad. Furthermore, KL Rahul will lead the team in the absence of Rohit Sharma in the first Test match.
“India captain Rohit Sharma met with a specialist in Mumbai for his left thumb injury, which he sustained during the 2nd ODI against Bangladesh. He has been advised of appropriate management for this injury and will not be available for the first Test against Bangladesh. The BCCI Medical Team will take a call on his availability for the second and final Test at a later stage. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Abhimanyu Easwaran as his replacement for the first Test,” BCCI said in a statement.
“Fast bowler Mohd. Shami and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja are yet to fully recover from their respective shoulder and knee injuries and are ruled out of the Test series. The selectors have named Navdeep Saini and Saurabh Kumar as replacements for Shami and Jadeja respectively. The selection committee has also added fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat to India’s squad for the Test series,” the release added.
The first Test match between India and Bangladesh will be played at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram from 14th December.
India’s updated squad for Bangladesh Tests: KL Rahul (C), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Navdeep Saini, Saurabh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat.
