Last Update on: September 5th, 2021 at 09:30 pm
Indian batsmen Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara will not be taking the field for India on Day 4 of the Oval Test against England. Both have a minor injury scare and have been advised to rest as a precautionary measure, the BCCI confirmed.
Rohit and Pujara shared a 153-run stand for the second wicket on Day 3, which pushed India into the lead. During the alliance, Pujara sprained his ankle while taking a single and he was in discomfort throughout. He managed to carry on before being dismissed for 61.
Rohit on the other hand went on to play a monumental knock of 127 which put the team in a strong position. During the innings, he sustained a minor injury to his left knee and he complained of discomfort on Day 4.
To ensure the duo don’t aggravate the aforementioned injuries, they will not be taking the field for the final session on Sunday. Rohit has been excellent in the slip cordon so his services will be missed. The Indian medical team has both of them under assessment and further calls will be taken soon.
UPDATE – Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara will not take the field. Rohit has discomfort in his left knee while Pujara has pain in his left ankle. The BCCI Medical Team is assessing them. #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/ihMSUPR7Im
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 5, 2021
India on top after setting a target of 368 for England
Team India has set an improbable target of 368 for the English side. Although the pitch is quite flat and skipper Joe Root is in the form of his life, it might be considered a mountain too steep to climb for the hosts.
On Day 4, India was at 312/6 with Virat Kohli departing on 44. It looked like England might be chasing a small target but Shardul Thakur combined with Rishabh Pant to completely blunt the bowling attack. They stitched a 100-run partnership for the 7th wicket, pushing India’s lead past 300.
Some useful contributions further down the order from Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav meant India folded up for 466, setting the hosts a target of 368. There are no demons in the pitch but the pressure of a fourth-innings chase might have a telling blow eventually.
Also Read – England vs India 2021: Rohit Sharma Played A Brilliant Knock, He Deserved This Hundred: Inzamam-ul-Haq
