Mayank Agarwal ruled out of first Test against England
India opener Mayank Agarwal has been ruled out of the first Test against England after suffering a helmet injury during India’s net session at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement, Mayank has been assessed and tested by the BCCI medical team. He has shown signs of concussion, but has been ruled out of the opening Test against England. The 30-year-old’s condition is stable and he will be under close medical supervision.
It is a matter of concern that the Indian team is battling injury problems only in the first Test series of the 2021-23 cycle of the ICC World Test Championship, the five-match Test series against England. Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan are all returning home for rehabilitation. On the other hand, in the absence of Mayank, India are now left with the option of fielding Rohit Sharma along with Abhimanyu Easwaran or Lokesh Rahul, who is the other opener in the team. The team management may also consider pushing Hanuma Vihari into the opening slot, as it did in Australia.
It is noteworthy that the five-match Test series between India and England will start at Trent Bridge from August 4, while the remaining four matches will be played at Lord’s, Headingley, Kennington Oval and Old Trafford respectively.
