Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India was dealt a big blow as off spinner Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the upcoming test series against England due to a finger injury. Sundar fractured his finger while batting against Mohammed Siraj on Day 2 of the practice game against County XI. Reserve bowler Avesh Khan too got injured in his left thumb and did not take the field of Day 2. It is learnt the medium pacer is also ruled out of the series. Three players from the touring party has been out of the series. Earlier Shubman Gill was ruled out.
“Yes Washy has a fractured finger just like Avesh who had a thumb dislocation. Both are out of Test series and will go home,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“He will also take at least five weeks to start bowling and so no point keeping them here,” the source said.
It is understood that the short ball from Siraj that accounted for Washington hit his fingers harder than expected and he was in excruciating pain after returning to pavilion.
While Washington or Avesh were not first team regulars but are integral part as net bowlers and the Tamil Nadu all rounder with his superior batting abilities would have been in the mix during some point of the series.
“It is sheer irony that both Avesh and Washington played for opposition and got hurt. But this is sport and injuries are part and parcel of life,” the source added.
The replacements will soon be named and it will be interesting if a Navdeep Saini or Bhuneshwar Kumar replaces Avesh and join after Sri Lanka series gets over or Prithvi Shaw is being flown as a third opener.