England Suffer Big Injury Blow, Star Pacer Doubtful For India Series

England are gearing up to take on Team India in a five-match Test series that is scheduled to get underway this month.

The much-awaited series will start on June 20 with the first Test to be played at Headingley.

ENG vs IND series part of new WTC cycle

The series will be the first assignment of the new WTC cycle for both teams. After failing to qualify for the final in the ongoing WTC cycle, both India and England will be desperate to start their new campaign on a positive note. Out of the three cycles so far, India have qualified for the final on two occasions while England are yet to do so.

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The Ben Stokes-led side will be desperate to turn things around in the upcoming cycle as they eye their maiden WTC final. England will also look to extend their unbeaten run at home against India. They have not lost a series at home against India since 2007 and will be eyeing another series win over the visitors.

England suffer injury setback:

With less than two weeks remaining before the series gets underway, England have suffered a big injury setback. Their pacer Josh Tongue is doubtful for the series opener after suffering an injury during the second unofficial Test against India A.

Tongue is a part of the Test squad and is now in a race against time to be fit for the first Test. He hobbled off the field on day three of the game after bowling just four overs for 27 runs in the second innings. The nature and extent of the injury are still not known, as uncertainty looms over Tongue's participation in the first Test.

Injury to Josh Tongue will be a big blow

The 27-year-old made his Test debut against Ireland in 2023 and has played 3 Tests so far. He recently played in the four-day Test against Zimbabwe. In 3 Tests so far, the right-arm pacer has picked up 12 wickets, including a five-wicket haul that he had picked on his debut.

An injury to Tongue will be a big blow for the hosts. The home side is already without a number of fast-bowling options as the likes of Mark Wood, Olly Stone, and Gus Atkinson are sidelined with injuries. Jofra Archer is also not available for the first Test due to a thumb injury.

Also Read: Monty Panesar claims Virat Kohli quit Tests to avoid being exposed in England