Don’t Think India Will Be Too Worried Over Injuries In England, They Have Excellent Bench Strength - Inzamam-ul-Haq

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said India won’t be too much worried about the recent injury hits in their squad in England ahead of the five-Test series against the hosts.

Already three players – Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, and Avesh Khan – have been ruled out of the series due to injuries. Captain Virat Kohli and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane are also recovering from a stiff back and swelling in the left hamstring respectively, which rendered them unable to play in the practice match last week. The first Test starts on August 4th at Trent Bridge, and the Indian team is far from finalizing their eleven.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, however, believed that the Indian team has an immensely strong bench strength and that they have plenty of players to fill the position, be it in batting, bowling, or in the all-rounder’s role.

“Team India are facing some injury issues in England. Washington Sundar and Shubman Gill are unfit. Virat Kohli has a stiff back but he is trying his best to be fit for the first Test. Ajinkya Rahane also has a hamstring issue. The good thing though is that India have excellent bench strength so they should not face that much difficulty even if some of their key players are injured,” Inzamam-ul-Haq said in his YouTube video.

They faced a similar situation in Australia as well but they did not panic at all: Inzamam-ul-Haq

Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav, both of whom are currently in Sri Lanka, are added to the Test squad, and they are expected to leave soon. Batsman Abhimanyu Easwaran, who was in the reserves in England, has been promoted to the main squad.

Inzamam-ul-Haq then pointed out that the Asian giants faced a similar injury-troubled situation in Australia a few months ago – only Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane played all four Tests. India’s deep talent pool was on display as a second-string team breached Gabba to claim the series.

The legendary Pakistani batsman also credited Rahul Dravid for his role in developing players ready for international cricket. The second-string limited-overs outfit has already beaten Sri Lanka in the ODI series, and have registered a win in the first T20I as well.

“Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw, who were doing well in Sri Lanka, will now fly to England. I don’t think Team India will be too worried though over injuries. They faced a similar situation in Australia as well but they did not panic at all. The youngsters rose to the occasion and displayed great maturity as if they had been playing for many years.

“So bench strength really matters a lot. They can pull you out of trouble and I give a lot of credit to Rahul Dravid for the same. In Sri Lanka as well, India won the ODIs and are 1-0 up in the T20Is as well,” the former Pakistan captain stated.

Also Read: Revealed: What Rahul Dravid Told Dasun Shanaka On The Field During 3rd ODI