England vs India: Concerns raise over Ravi Ashwin's fitness ahead of the fourth Test

Both India and England have enjoyed a considerable break between the two matches as they hit the nets finally on Monday. The series is nicely poised with the scoreline of 2-1 and the momentum is with the visitors going into the fourth Test match in Southampton. However, they are fretting over the fitness of their premier spinner Ravi Ashwin who is struggling with a groin strain.

It seems he sustained an injury during the third Test and was not on the field for the major part of the first innings. Thankfully, he wasn’t required to bowl much as India bundled out the hosts in 38 overs itself. Though Ashwin bowled a majority of overs in their second essay, he never looked comfortable and his fitness continued to be a concern for Team India amidst the celebrations.

Jadeja bowls in the nets

Team India enjoyed a lengthy net session on Monday and according to the Times of India, Ravindra Jadeja was seen bowling in the nets. Ravi Ashwin, meanwhile, was standing with team physio Patrick Farhat and trainer Shankar Basu discussing something. He stayed away from bowling and wasn’t the part of the fielding drills as well. However, he batted for some time in the nets.

As of now, nothing is clear and it seems that Jadeja is hitting the straps just in case if Ashwin fails to regain his fitness in time for the next game. The head coach Ravi Shastri was earlier confident about the off-spinner being available in Southampton. “This break will be ideal for him. If there was a Test match starting in three days’ time, then it would have been a problem,” he had said.

How is the pitch?

As far as the pitch at the Ageas Bowl is concerned, it has a bit of grass cover three days ahead of the game. Though it is likely to be cut off in the lead up to the match, the conditions look once again conducive for fast bowling and the Indian pace battery would be wanting to take the field soon.

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