'Things can change so quickly' - Stuart Broad shares heartfelt message after being ruled out of India Tests

After being ruled out of the five-Test series against India owing to an injury in his right calf, England pacer Stuart Broad took to Instagram to share a long, heartfelt post as he narrated how things change quickly.

“Things can change so quickly. A moment before training all smiles then during the warm up, I jumped a hurdle, landed a bit awkwardly on my right ankle then the next step felt like I’d been whipped by a rope as hard as you can imagine on the back of my leg. I actually turned to @jimmya9 [James Anderson] & asked why he whipped me! but when I realised he was no where near me I knew I was in trouble. Scans say grade 3 calf, ” Broad wrote.

“All so innocuous. Season over & gutted to miss this India Test Series but a huge focus on Australia now. Going to take my time, no rush, baby steps & be the fittest I can be heading out there. Big focus in my brain,” he added, before wishing well for his team for the long tour.

“Good luck to the @englandcricket boys this week. I’ll be watching every ball from my sofa hoping to see runs & wickets in the glorious Lord’s sunshine.”

Saqib Mahmood set for Test debut

Saqib Mahmood, who had a magnificent run in the limited-overs series against Pakistan at home last month (nine wickets at 13.66 in three ODIs, followed by four at 28 in two T20Is) after the host camp was hit by Covid-19, has been called as Broad’s cover.

Further, Moeen Ali, who last played the longest format as the second Chennai Test during the away four-match series against India earlier this year, before leaving as a part of ECB’s rest and rotation policy, has been recalled, while England have relieved their off-spinner Dom Bess, who will reunite with his county team Yorkshire.

For India, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who did not feature at Trent Bridge in the XI as India preferred Ravindra Jadeja over him as the lone spinner, is likely to return as Shardul Thakur has been ruled out of the second Test at least due to a hamstring injury.