IND vs ENG: Ravindra Jadeja ruled out of the upcoming Test series

As India plan to start preparing for the big series against England at home, they have faced a major setback. Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been ruled out of the four-Test match series which will start on February 5. The Saurashtra player was sent back to India midway through the Australian tour after he suffered an injury.

In the third Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney, he was hit on his left hand while facing a short ball off Mitchell Starc. The ball hit him quite hard on the hand and dislocated his left thumb. He couldn’t take part in that match any further, but India managed to still work around without his services. He missed the final Test in Gabba and now will be missing the entire Test series against England.

Ravindra Jadeja to need at least six weeks to recover

He had gone through surgery in Australia, but he needs at least six weeks to recover from the injury. To come back on the field, he will need proper rest and rehabilitation. A BCCI official has revealed that there hasn’t been any call made whether he would return to the side for the T20Is and ODIs.

“He is out of Test series and he will take more than six weeks to recover completely. The selectors will take a call later, whether to include him in the team for the shorter formats,” a BCCI official was quoted saying by The Indian Express. His rehabilitation will be taking place at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

Washington Sundar in line to keep his spot in the XI

India is scheduled to play four Tests, five T20Is, and three ODIs against England. The first two Test matches will be played in Chennai, while the other two will be played at the New Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad will also host the entire five-match T20I series while the action will shift to Pune for the three ODIs.

Interestingly enough, the last time England were in India, Jadeja had registered his best Test figures in an innings of 7 for 48 in Chennai on the last day to help India win the match. His recent exploits with both bat and ball have made him an undroppable player and his importance in a home Test match is huge. In his absence, we might see Washington Sundar playing in the XI after his heroics in the Gabba Test.