India’s five-Test series against England begins on January 25. But before that, there is relief news for team India.
News of the team’s star opener Ruturaj Gaikwad’s fitness update has come out. It is heard that Ruturaj Gaikwad can get fit in the middle of the series. Ruturaj is expected to be available for selection in the third Test if all goes well.
Ruturaj Gaikwad was injured in the second ODI against South Africa. Due to this injury, Ruturaj Gaikwad could not participate in the Test series against South Africa. But this Indian opener is ready to return to the field again.
The third test match of India vs England series will be played in Rajkot. This match is scheduled to run from February 15 to 19. Ruturaj Gaikwad will be available for selection in this test match. English newspaper Times of India reports that Ruturaj Gaikwad is working on fitness at the National Cricket Academy.
According to sources, Ruturaj will be fit after seven to ten days. After that, Ruturaj will play Ranji for Maharashtra and prove his match fitness. It is believed if everything goes well, Ruturaj may be selected for the national team after the second Test against England.
Abhimanyu Easwaran can a chance
However, Ruturaj Gaikwad has not yet got a chance in the Test. However, Ruturaj Gaikwad has played in Team India’s jersey in ODIs and T20Is and is becoming an important part of the team’s setup. So far, Ruturaj Gaikwad has played 6 ODIs and 19 T20Is for India.
Meanwhile, Bengal’s Abhimanyu Easwaran could get a place in India’s squad against England as a back-up opener. Abhimanyu Easwaran may get the new lifeline, while Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaswal will take over as frontline openers.
It is heard that Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal can handle the responsibility of opening for India in this Test series. Abhimanyu Easwaran can be made a part of the team as a backup opener in the first two matches.
Abhimanyu Easwaran was earlier part of the backup opener team in England. Abhimanyu was also named the captain of the India A team for the two-day warm-up match against England. Even in the four-day match against England, the responsibility of India ‘A’ will remain with Easwaran.
IND vs ENG Test Series: Schedule
The first Test will start from January 25 in Hyderabad. The second Test will be held in Visakhapatnam from February 2. Third Test in Rajkot. The game starts from February 15. The fourth Test starts from February 23 in Ranchi. The last Test of the series will be from March 7. The game will be played at Dharamshala. The series is scheduled to end on March 11. These 5 Test matches are very important for the World Test Championship.
Challenges for India’s bowling side
After South Africa, Mohammed Shami is not in the first two matches of the five-match Test series against England. Doubts about his game due to injury. The star power bowler was not seen playing in the two Tests of the Protea tour. Now it is heard that Shami’s services will not be available in the first two Tests against Ben Stokes. There is a high possibility that he will be dropped in the first two Tests of the upcoming Test series.
