Injury-stricken affair

Despite enjoying a great outing in Visakhapatnam against the English ‘bazballers', injury woes surrounding the Indian unit have become an area of concern for the team management. It all began with KL Rahul, who was ruled out of the third Test after sustaining a quadricep injury. He was soon followed by Ravindra Jadeja and the latest member to be inducted in the injury list was middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer.

Now, in what could be an unfortunate blow for the side just three days ahead of the third Test, Rahul is learnt to have not yet recovered from his injury and is most likely to be dropped in Rajkot as well.

Injuries within the Indian squad have dealt a significant setback of late, posing a substantial impediment to senior players' optimal performance. This has, in turn, cast a formidable shadow over the team's prospects months ahead of the T20 World Cup. The absence of key players due to injuries against a challenging opposition like that of England represents a substantial blow to say the least, necessitating strategic adjustments and placing a heightened demand on the team's resilience and adaptability in moments of distress.

"A player's injury is not in our hands. They are senior fellows, we can't risk losing them. And in such cases, it is always our medical team that gives the final nod as you may know. KL is still far from being completely fit. Can't comment on Iyer right now," a BCCI source told Mid-Day on conditions of anonymity. On Monday, indications were strong that Rahul's participation in the third test hangs over the team like a cloud of uncertainty and that the BCCI, selectors and the team management are waiting to see the results of a final diagnosis. Despite several attempts, no official word came out from either of them.

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The same old fitness story, or more appropriately, the lack of it, appears to have returned to haunt India's preparations at a time when the players' performances in a highly competitive league like the IPL will have an added heft due to the impact it will have on the team selection ahead of the World Cup this June.

Meanwhile, talismanic batter Virat Kohli put an end to the ever-growing speculation around his availability for the remainder of the Test series. "Virat Kohli will remain unavailable for selection for the remainder of the series due to personal reasons. The Board fully respects and supports Mr Kohli's decision," the BCCI said in a release. The former captain is currently abroad for personal family matters.

"Yes, it was almost clear that he won't feature in the series. The board respects his decision and he can attend to his family matters and come back only when it is convenient for him. Naturally, the board already had plans in store," added the source.

Now, when the rest of the players start descending in Rajkot for the third Test, the focus is certainly going to be on the fitness of those on the bench who have been struggling with injuries during the series and in the past.

In cricket, where the margin between victory and defeat is razor-thin, the importance of a fully fit and harmonious squad cannot be overstated enough.

Each player is a crucial cog in the machinery, contributing not only with their individual brilliance but also as an integral part of the collective strategy. In this context, the news of injuries permeating through the Indian squad resonates as a disconcerting note, prompting a reevaluation of the team's overall strength and preparedness.

As 1.4 billion Indians watch with bated breath, the resilience of this squad will be under the spotlight, and how they respond to these adversities will shape not only their campaign in the tournament but also the collective memory of a nation that breathes and lives cricket.