India vs England: Axar Patel ruled out of first Test after complaining of pain in left knee

India is all se to play four match Test series against India commencing today, 5^th February in Chennai. While all the preparations were done by the hosts in full swing, a last minute disturbance had caused some stir in the squad. All-rounder Axar Patel has been ruled out of the first Test after complaining of a knee injury. Shahbaz Nadeem and Rahul Chahar have been added to the squad as his replacement.

It will be a thing to see who India carries up as its choice of all-rounder in absence of Ravindra Jadeja but many people from cricket fraternity stated that Axar should be given chance in the first Test. He can be of great worth along with Ravi Ashwin and provide a spin option which has been supported on the pitches of Chepauk earlier. The news has been confirmed by Cricket analyst Sarang Bhalerao in a Tweet.

“Axar Patel ruled out of the1st Test. Complained of left knee injury. Shahbaz Nadeem and Rahul Chahar added to the squad,” his tweet read.

Axar Patel ruled out of the 1st Test. Complained of left knee injury. Shahbaz Nadeem & Rahul Chahar added to the squad.

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) February 5, 2021

Talking about the Test matches, the first two will be played in Chennai and the action will them shift to Ahmedabad for the pink ball Test. Keeping India’s solid home record, they will be favourites to win the high profile series. Also after their latest heroics in Australia, they are brimming with all the confidence.

India’s victory important for the finals of World Test Championship

India’s victory becomes utmost important from this point of time keeping in mind the scenario of World Test Championship. New Zealand have already reached the finals of the event and it will be a thing to see how India will mark its presence there. India’s skipper in all format Virat Kohli is back in the squad and will play his first Test of the year 2021.

He missed the Australia Tests owing to his paternity leave and taking over from Ajinkya Rajane after huge success in Australia will also be a thing to watch out for. The young guns of India performed exceedingly well last month in absence of their senior counter parts against all the odds. When all the senior players are back in action, it will be difficult to say who all will stand a chance in playing XI of the team.