India suffer setbacks as Jadeja, Ishant, Axar Patel, Shubman Gill doubtful for South Africa tour

India are set to suffer major setbacks before embarking on the tour of South Africa as four of their first-choice picks for the Test squad are likely to be ruled out of the entire tour. 

The quartet of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shubman Gill and Ishant Sharma have picked up injuries in the recently-concluded Tests series against New Zealand and are unlikely to recover in time to take the flight for the tour, The Indian Express reported. Due to selection conundrums arising out of poor form and fitness concerns of some key players, selectors have delayed their meeting over the squad selection for the tour.

Notably, Jadeja did not play the second and final Test of the series against New Zealand and reports suggested that he was rested as per precautionary measures. However, this report suggested that the all-rounder has suffered ligament tear and could undergo surgery which would take months to recover.

Axar Patel has suffered a back injury and would take at least six weeks to come back to full fitness, the report said further.

Shubman Gill has suffered a relapse of the shin injury that ruled him out of the Test series in England earlier this year and as per the report, the selectors are not quite sure of sending him on the tour.

Ishant Sharma was ruled out of the Mumbai Test and the report suggested that the veteran of more than 100 Tests has suffered a side strain and is quite doubtful for the tour of South Africa.

India also have other conundrums pertaining to the poor form of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara and their place in the Test squad, let alone the playing XI with young batsmen such as Shreyas Iyer grabbing their opportunities and players such as Hanuma Vihari waiting in the wings.