Synopsis
India faces an injury scare with opener Abhishek Sharma twisting his right ankle in a warm-up before the second T20I against England. His fitness will be assessed prior to the match, raising concerns about India's batting lineup.Key Takeaways
- Abhishek Sharma twisted his ankle during warm-ups.
- His fitness will be tested before the match.
- India may lack a third opener if he is unfit.
- Potential replacements include Tilak Varma and Dhruv Jurel.
- England aims to capitalize on any disruption in India's batting order.
Chennai, Jan 24 (NationPress) India is facing a notable injury worry ahead of the second T20I against England at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, as opener Abhishek Sharma twisted his right ankle during a warm-up session on Friday evening.
Sources familiar with the team informed IANS that the incident transpired while performing a standard warmup exercise, with the left-handed batsman appearing in distress and requiring attention from the physio.
Abhishek’s participation in the playing XI will be evaluated following a fitness test scheduled before the match.
Although Abhishek was able to leave the field after receiving prompt treatment and even went to the nets at the MAC B Stadium, he did not engage in batting drills. Limping noticeably during the session, his status has raised concerns regarding his availability for Saturday’s encounter.
If he is deemed unfit, India will face a challenging decision as the squad lacks a designated third opener. The team might consider promoting one of the middle-order players, such as Tilak Varma or Dhruv Jurel, to partner Sanju Samson at the top. Both Varma and Jurel are skilled batsmen but have not been tested as openers in international matches.
Abhishek’s potential absence could be a considerable setback for India, especially after his remarkable display in the series opener at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The left-hander scored an impressive 79 runs in the first T20I, laying the groundwork for India’s comfortable victory. His aggressive batting style and ability to dominate the powerplay have made him a crucial asset at the top of the order.
Despite the injury concern, India’s team strategy is likely to remain centered on having depth in both batting and bowling. In the first T20I, the inclusion of all-rounders like Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy was essential for maintaining balance, while the spin trio of Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Ravi Bishnoi provided control and variety.
India’s dependence on all-rounders and spinners will likely continue, particularly given the conditions in Chennai, which favor spin and grip. However, Abhishek Sharma's possible absence could disrupt their batting order and necessitate a reshuffle. A more cautious approach may be adopted, emphasizing the formation of partnerships at the top before unleashing the middle-order firepower.
England, trailing 1-0 in the series, will aim to exploit any disruption in India’s plans. Their powerful batting lineup, strengthened by captain Jos Buttler and Harry Brook, will seek to challenge the Indian bowlers once again. With conditions at Chepauk likely to favor slower bowlers, England might also contemplate adding an extra spinner to counter India’s middle-order strength.
