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Pandey replaces injured Rahane; Shardul as cover for Shami

December 07, 2016 15:54 IST

IMAGE: Ajinkya Rahane injured his finger during the training session in Mumbai. Photograph: BCCI.

India's injury woes continued as batting mainstay Ajinkya Rahane was ruled out of the remaining two Tests against England due to injury.

He will be replaced by Karnataka batsman Manish Pandey.

Apparently, Rahane sustained a finger injury on his right index finger during India's training session at the Wankhede stadium on Wednesday.

"The BCCI medical team confirms that India batsman Ajinkya Rahane sustained an avulsion fracture on his right index finger and has been ruled out for the remaining two Test matches of the Paytm series – 2016 against England. A ball stuck Rahane during the practice session today (Wednesday)," BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke said in a media release on Wednesday.

IMAGE: Manish Pandey to replace Ajinkya Rahane for Mumbai Test. Photograph: BCCI.

Meanwhile, there are also doubts over Mohammed Shami playing in the Mumbai Test. Captain Virat Kohli had earlier said that the Bengal pacer is struggling with a sore knee but has still not ruled out his chances of playing in the fourth Test against England starting in Mumbai on Thursday.

The selectors have called in Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur as a back up for Shami.

"Mumbai medium pacer Shardul Thakur has been called as back up for India pacer Mohammed Shami, who is nursing a sore knee. The BCCI medical team is closely monitoring his progress and a decision on his participation will be taken before the start of the fourth Test match," the BCCI added.

Harish Kotian