Injuries are the norm of the season. Almost every international team is facing the problem of injuries to their key players. There could be multiple reasons for the same. However, the main culprit is the forced break that all the cricketers had to take due to the lockdown. The body has found it difficult to adapt to the newfound scenario, and hence, the plethora of injuries.
While Team India leads in the list of injuries, other teams like Sri Lanka and England are also not far behind. In this article, we constitute a strong playing XI comprising cricketers who are currently injured. Not to mention, the XI we have framed is strong and competent across formats.
Openers: KL Rahul and Babar Azam
The T20 performers of 2020, both KL Rahul and Babar Azam are injured at the moment. A few years ago, KLR’s body was very fragile. However, he worked on his fitness and was enjoying a good run in his career. Although he did not get a chance in the Australia Test series, there was a possibility of him getting a game. However, a wrist-sprain brought his chances down. He is now focussing on a comeback with the England series. Babar Azam is also injured right now. Pakistan’s best batsman, His absence is being felt for his team. Hopefully, he recovers from his ordeal at the earliest.
Middle-Order: Manish Pandey, Hanuma Vihari and Ollie Pope
The middle-order of the injured XI contains two Indians and an Englishman. Manish Pandey is undergoing treatment for an injury which has also kept him out of contention for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. For him, the England series is critical and he could be pushing hard to get fit in time. Hanuma Vihari was important in the third game against Australia, but unfortunately, he is injured and will not take part in the decider. It is said that he could be out for a while. England’s rising star Ollie Pope is also on the injured list. The World Champions have a few crucial tournaments coming up, and Pope would target a comeback.
All-Rounders: Angelo Mathews and Ravindra Jadeja
For Angelo Mathews, injuries have been the major demotivating aspect of his career. Almost every time that he has been in good form, an injury has come his way. Even now, the Sri Lankan is nursing an injury and is out of action.
Ravindra Jadeja has been at the center of few injuries during the Australia Tour. While he was subject to a concussion during the T20Is, the case was related to his arm in the Test Matches. It is reported that Jaddu requires a few weeks of rest. He could return for the home-series against England.
Bowlers: Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah
The current injured XI contains an envious bowling line-up. Headlined by Bumrah and Shami, the line-up contains Lockie Ferguson and Umesh Yadav. There are also decent reserves in the form of Suranga Lakmal and Sean Abbott. While Shami was ruled out after the first test against Australia, Umesh got himself injured in the second encounter. Bumrah has an abdomen injury and the management is fretting over his fitness. Both Lockie and Lakmal are missing their games due to past injuries. Umesh, Bumrah and Shami could return for the England series, and it is expected that Lockie and Lakmal would make a comeback soon. This quartet is a talented unit, and we hope that they get back on the field at the earliest.
