In a startling revelation, West Indies fielding coach Nic Pothas said that West Indies captain Jason Holder, who was ruled out of the first Test hours before the toss, was already carrying an injury sustained during the training camp in Dubai.
It was a surprise for everyone when Kraig Brathwaite walked wearing the maroon blazer instead of Holder at toss time in Rajkot. The stand-in captain Braithwaite revealed that Holder was not playing because of ankle injury. Missing out Holder from the line-up was a big blow to the visitors as is handy with both bat and ball. The team struggled on day one with India reaching a commanding 364 for four.
"I am not in a position to discuss Jason's injury but he felt something in Dubai in our pre-season camp. Obviously it has not settled down as much as he or the medical staff would have liked. He will be monitored on a daily basis and we will wait and see how that pans out," said Pothas, who has also worked with Sri Lanka.
West Indies were in Dubai to prepare for the India tour last month at the ICC’s global cricket academy and it is believed that the West Indian captain hurt his ankle during the training camp. However, it is not clear as to why the West Indies Cricket Board named an unfit cricketer as their captain.
The injuries to frontline bowler Kemar Roach and Alzzari Joseph could have been a possible reason behind taking a chance with Holder.