Reports: Ajinkya Rahane to miss England Tour due to Hamstring Injury

Out of favour Indian international Ajinkya Rahane is expected to miss out on the touring squad to depart for England in June-July, this year. 

In the Indian Premier League (IPL) fixture between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Saturday, Rahane was seen in discomfort during his knock of 28 off 24 and was not present on the field in the second innings. After the game, the dressing room conversation revealed that the 33-year-old batter suffered from a hamstring strain. 

According to sources at Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rahane has been ruled out of IPL and will leave the KKR bubble on Monday. Thereafter, he will report to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to undergo rehabilitation for more than four weeks. In seven innings of IPL 2022, Rahane could manage only 133 runs. 

The injury has certainly put Rahane in a tough spot, as the Indian team is expected to leave for England on June 16. 

Earlier this year, Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara were dropped from the Test squad for the 2-match Test series against Sri Lanka due to their bad form. Instead, the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari filled the boots of veteran batters.  

The Indian team is scheduled to play a 5-match T20I series against South Africa from June 9 to 19. On the other hand, the England tour will kick off with the rescheduled Test on July 1. Then, the three-match T20I series and as many ODI matches will be played between the two teams. 

The selectors are expected to announce separate squads for the two series in a week. It is also being reported that the squad playing against South Africa will be pitted against Ireland for a two-match T20I series on June 26 and 28. 

The BCCI are in active talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to organize a warm-up match for the Test team ahead of their fixture on July 1. It will undoubtedly be critical for the Indian team, as they played their last red-ball game in March, earlier this year.