India A Captain Abhimanyu Easwaran will reportedly replace the injured Rohit Sharma in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, which starts on 14 December.(Read Also: Ramiz Raja releases disturbed statements on Pakistan’s hosting of the Asia Cup)
The Indian skipper took a blow to his left thumb while setting up the second ODI, ruling him out of the final match of a three-match affair.
After an initial in-game scan, Rohit Sharma plans to consult experts in Mumbai before receiving a call about his participation in the series.
Rohit admitted in his post-match presentation after his second ODI that his early signs weren’t positive as his thumb was dislocated. Head coach Rahul Dravid later confirmed that the first hitter would not participate in the dead rubber, and was also in doubt for the Test series. Easwaran, who has racked up runs at Bengal’s home circuit in recent history, could make his Test debut. He has already been called up to the squad as a substitute, most recently during an away tour in England.
A senior BCCI source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told his PTI:
“Abhimanyu Easwaran has scored hundreds of goals in a row in his series ongoing and is the opener, perhaps after completing his second A-Test in Sylhet., will join the team in Chittogram.”
The current Test squad features KL Rahul and Shubman Gill as opening options, and with Rohit left out, Easwaran joins the team as his third starting pitcher. A PTI report says either Mukesh Kumar or Umran Malik could replace Mohammad Shami in the test team. The Bengali-born Pacer will compete at the 2022 T20 Worlds in Australia. After representing Team India in the Cup, a shoulder injury has put him out of action for the upcoming series.
Mukesh, now in Bangladesh, his Kumar, as India’s senior side Easwaran, took six wickets in the first innings of his second informal Test underway against the Sylhet A side.
Left-arm spinner Saurav Kumar is also facing a call-up and Ravindra Jadeja has been out of the game since knee surgery. He would prove to be a backup option for Axar Patel in subcontinental conditions. Suryakumar Yadav is also considered. The Mumbai-born slugger rested for his tour of Bangladesh and is expected to play in his Ranji trophy from the second game of the group stage.
