Injuries to several senior cricketers mean the All India Senior Selection Committee headed by former cricketer Chetan Sharma is delaying in picking the squads for the upcoming tour of South Africa. India are scheduled to play three Tests followed by the same number of ODIs.
As per reports in the Indian Express, at least four players – Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shubman Gill, and Ishant Sharma – are doubtful for the trip as they will take some months to be completely fit.
Jadeja and Ishant missed the second Test at the Wankhede Stadium against New Zealand due to injuries. The same report adds that Jadeja’s ligament tear will take months to heal and if he undergoes surgery, he will only get fit before the Indian Premier League next year.
On the other hand, the selectors are not sure whether to send Shubman Gill to South Africa as his shin injury has resurfaced. The youngster had missed the Test series in England due to the same problem and suffered pain again during the Mumbai Test. He also took a blow on his left forearm while fielding during the second Test.
He was taken for a precautionary scan and didn’t take the field. With Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul as first-choice openers and Mayank Agarwal hitting the strides against New Zealand, India are unlikely to risk with Shubman Gill.
Meanwhile, it is understood that Ishant Sharma has a side strain and will take time to be match fit. The selectors were anyways mulling options to replace Sharma for the South Africa series and Mohammed Siraj making a mark, Ishant’s injury won’t bother the selectors much.
Team India To Leave For South Africa On December 16: Reports
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As per reports in Sportskeeda, Team India led by Virat Kohli will leave for South Africa on December 16. The squad will gather in Mumbai on Sunday, December 12, and will enter the bio-bubble.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed on Monday (December 6) that the Wanderers will host the New Year’s Test against India, starting on January 3 as they have announced the revised schedule.
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