Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer delivered the blow when he was hit by a ball on his right forearm during the practice session. Iyer attempted to resume his batting practice after being struck, but he appeared uncomfortable as he attempted to get ready for the crucial Test match against the Three Lions.
January 25 is the scheduled start date of the much awaited first Test match between India and England at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Both sides have arrived at the location ahead of the series opener and are fully prepared for battle. During an afternoon practice session at the net training facility of the location, the Indian contingent appeared to have suffered a significant setback.
Shreyas Iyer was seen struggling to shatter the nets.
The team management may have had a panic attack due to Iyer’s injury worry, as the Rohit Sharma-led team is already without their main middle-order player, superstar batsman Virat Kohli, for the games till the third one in Rajkot. The scare was brief, though, as Iyer picked up where he left off when he returned to the nets following some physiotherapy with ice packs.
Good signs for India, he’s back batting again after a brief break and treatment with an ice-pack. #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/T9epFDAmbB
— Ganesh C (@ganeshcee) January 23, 2024
Indian coach Rahul Dravid believes his team would have a specialist keeper.
In Kohli’s absence, the Mumbai batsman is a valuable addition to India’s batting lineup. Since KL Rahul, who kept wickets during the South Africa Tests, will only be playing as a specialist batter as a result, head coach Rahul Dravid has also confirmed this. This could present an opportunity for KS Bharat, who is coming off a fantastic knock against the England Lions during a tour game at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Due to Kohli’s absence, there are worries about the no. 4 place. Rahul Dravid may get promoted to the batting order, where he may be followed later by Iyer, Bharat, and the lower order.
Head coach Brendon McCullum recently stated that the visiting England team does not know if captain Ben Stokes is ready for the game. McCullum did note that Stokes has demonstrated his fitness, and the management is not at all in a rush to declare him available for the opening game, which takes place on Thursday. So, before the match in Uppal, a belated decision over the English captain’s inclusion is anticipated.
India
