IND vs ENG: Jack Leach Ruled of the Remainder of Test Series Due to Knee Injury

Ben Stoke’s England dealt a major blow on Sunday as Jack Leach got ruled out of the rest of the Test series against India with an injury. The spinner picked up the injury during England’s first test victory in Hyderabad, being forced to play a restricted role and subsequently missing the second Test in Vizag.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) released an official statement, saying the 32-year-old will head back from home and will rehabilitate under the supervision of the ECB and Somerset medical teams. The visitors won’t be calling a replacement of the spinner, the statement further read.

“Jack Leach has been ruled out of the rest of England Men’s Test tour of India with a left knee injury,” the official statement read.

“Leach sustained the injury during England’s first Test victory in Hyderabad and missed the second Test in Vizag as a result. He will fly home from Abu Dhabi in the next 24 hours, where the England team have been staying ahead of the third Test in Rajkot, which starts on Thursday.

“Leach will work closely with the England and Somerset medical teams in respect of his rehabilitation,” it added.

Leach’s absence in Vizag his saw Somerset team-mate Shoaib Bashir getting picked in the playing XI where he picked up four wickets on his international debut. The latter was joined by Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley in England’s spin attack, with the trio only holding three caps between them going into the second test.

The series resumes in Rajkot on Thursday tied at 1-1 following India’s 106-run victory in Vizag.

On Saturday, the BCCI also announced the squad for the remaining three Tests. While Virat Kohli will remain absent for the remainder of the series, the injured duo of Rahul and Jadeja has been included but their participation depends entirely on fitness clearance from the BCCI medical team. On the other hand, uncapped fast bowler Akash Deep has been given a maiden India Test call-up.

Shreyas Iyer has been dropped from the Test squad. Avesh Khan has also been left out of the squad after being recalled for the 2nd Test. Sarfaraz Khan, who received a maiden Test call-up for the Vizag fixture, has kept his place as has all-rounder Washington Sundar.