Durham: Indian fast-bowler, Avesh Khan who has been named in the 25-man squad for the Test series against England has picked up a thumb injury and is likely to miss the complete tour of England as per a report in ESPNCricinfo. The injury occurred on Tuesday when Khan stopped a straight drive by Hanuma Vihari. Although he managed to stop the boundary, he injured his left thumb in the process. Later, Kan was seen leaving the ground with India's physiotherapist back to the dressing room.
Currently, India is playing a practice Test match against County Select XI. Avesh Khan and Washington Sundar are the two Indian players who are playing in the County Select side. The move comes as team India wants all its players to get ample match time before taking the field against England in the first Test on 4 August. Avesh Khan in fact bowled the second over for CS XI.
The unfortunate injury to Avesh Khan means that he will be the second player after Shubhman Gill to be left out of the series due to injury. Although none of these absentees is confirmed by the BCCI.
It is a big setback for the pacer from Madhya Pradesh as the England series would have been a great learning curve for the youngster. While playing for DC in the IPL 2021, Avesh Khan picked up 14 wickets and became the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament. It is being reported that he would be fit by the time IPL resumes.
India will play a 5-match Test series starting August 4 against England.