IND v ENG: Shami, Saha to miss Chennai Test

The BCCI medical team confirmed that Indian pacer Mohammed Shami and wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha have been ruled out of the fifth and final Test, in Chennai.

Mohammed Shami has been sidelined due to a right knee problem that has plagued him right through the series.

Parthiv Patel’s return to India’s Test side is set to be prolonged as wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha has been ruled out of India’s series-concluding rubber against England, starting in Chennai from December 16. Saha’s Bengal team-mate Mohammad Shami, who also missed the ongoing fourth Test, will also not recover in time for the fifth Test.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the BCCI stated Saha hasn’t recovered from a hamstring injury that he suffered during the second Test at Visakhapatnam. Shami has been sidelined due to a right knee problem that has plagued him right through the series.

“Shami has soreness in his right knee and has been advised rest and rehabilitation. He will be going to the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Bengaluru to start his recovery programme,” the statement said.

Saha suffered a hamstring tendon injury during the second Test in Visakhapatnam, and is undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA. Patel has taken over the keeping gloves from Saha since the third Test in Mohali. “Saha is undergoing rehabilitation programme at the NCA.”

The BCCI hasn’t yet announced whether newly-wed Ishant Sharma will join the squad for the last Test.