The Indian cricket team has been dealt with a few setbacks ahead of the much-anticipated Test series against England starting August 4. The opening batter Mayank Agarwal is the latest one to have his chances of playing in the first Test get shattered. He suffered a concussion after being hit on the head and has been ruled out of the opening game at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
During a practice session, Agarwal was smashed on the helmet by a short delivery by Mohammed Siraj when the batter took his eyes off trying to duck. After taking the blow, Agarwal was seen in some discomfort as he sat down on the ground and removed his helmet while the physio Nitin Patel attended him. He was surrounded by his teammates immediately after the blow to check on him. Agarwal was then seen holding the back of his head as he was being escorted off the nets by Patel.
The BCCI secretary Jay Shah revealed in a media release that Agarwal was being assessed by the medical team and the concussion test was performed. The batter showed signs of concussion but was stable and will remain under observation.
“Opening batsman Mayank Agarwal was hit on the helmet while batting during India’s nets session at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Monday,”
“The BCCI Medical Team assessed him, and a concussion test was conducted. He has shown signs of concussion and is ruled out of the opening Test against England. The 30-year-old is stable and will remain under close medical observation,”
BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed in a media release.
The vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, who was doubtful with fitness, has been given the green light to take the field in the first Test. Speaking in a press interaction ahead of the match, Rahane confirmed the Agarwal injury and asserted that everyone else is fit.
“Mayank Agarwal got hit on the head. The medical team is looking after him. All others are fit,”
Rahane said.
Agarwal was set to open for India after Shubman Gill was ruled out of the entire series due to a shin injury. Abhimanyu Eswaran, who was in the squad as a reserve player, has been drafted as a backup opener.
KL Rahul has played the majority of his 33 Tests for India as an opener but the management has given clear signs that he is being looked at as a middle order batter. In the practice game against County XI at Durham, Rahul batted at no. 5 and scored a century.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari have opened for India in the past but Rahane ruled out the possibility of Pujara moving up the order from his usual position.
“Who’ll open our innings we are again finalising our combination, it’s not yet finalised. Pujara has been really solid for us as No. 3 batsman and he’ll continue to bat at No. 3.”
“As [far as] opening bat [goes], the captain, coach and management will decide the combination and you’ll get to know soon.”
Rahane added.
The Indian management has called up Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav, who were in Sri Lanka for a white-ball series, as backups but they will only be available from the third Test because of the mandatory quarantine protocols.
As far as the opening slot is concerned, with Pujara being confirmed not to move up and Rahul being preferred as a middle-order option, India is left with Hanuma Vihari and Abhimanyu Eswaran. Vihari has a stellar record in domestic cricket and has done well for India. Eswaran last played a first-class game 15 months back and missed the practice match as he was in isolation following the Covid-19 incident in the camp.
