The ongoing five-match cricket series between India and England is currently tied at 1-1, with the upcoming third Test scheduled to take place at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium in Rajkot starting from February 15. In the lead-up to this crucial match, both teams are meticulously managing their players' fitness, as a few key cricketers have been grappling with injuries.
In the second Test, India faced the absence of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja due to injuries. KL Rahul experienced discomfort in his quadriceps, while Jadeja suffered a hamstring injury. Initial speculations hinted at the possibility of them missing the Rajkot Test. However, recent reports from the Indian Express suggest a positive turn of events, indicating that the star duo is likely to make a comeback and feature in the third Test.
Jadeja, who hails from Rajkot and is set to play in front of his home crowd, shared an encouraging update on his fitness by posting a photo from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) with the caption, "Getting better." This signals a promising sign for Indian cricket fans, raising hopes of his active participation in the upcoming match.
On the other hand, Indian skipper Virat Kohli has been absent from the first two Tests due to personal reasons. However, it has been reported that he will continue to miss the next two matches as well. According to a source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Virat Kohli has not communicated his return date to the board. The source mentioned, "Virat will determine the timing of his return to the Indian team. As of now, he hasn't communicated his decision to us. However, whenever he chooses to resume playing, he will be welcomed back into the team." Kohli is currently in London with his family, expecting the arrival of his second child, a fact confirmed by South African cricket legend AB de Villiers. The final squad for the remaining three matches is expected to be announced shortly as the selectors await a response from Kohli, anticipated to be received today.
In another significant development, India's star seamer Jasprit Bumrah, who played a pivotal role in India's thrilling victory in the second Test, is currently the leading wicket-taker in the series with an impressive tally of 15 wickets. Bumrah's exceptional performance in the second match catapulted him to the top spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings on February 7, making him the first bowler in cricket history to achieve the top position across all formats.
Despite his outstanding contributions, there are emerging reports that Bumrah might be rested for the Rajkot Test as part of workload management. The team management has entrusted Bumrah with the decision, giving him the flexibility to choose based on his fitness and overall well-being. This strategic move aims to preserve the fast bowler's energy and performance levels throughout the series, recognizing the importance of effective workload management in the demanding realm of international cricket.
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