ENG vs IND 2018: Ajinkya Rahane Gives Injury Update On Ravichandran Ashwin

Ajinkya Rahane, India’s Test vice-captain, has said Ravichandran Ashwin will be fit to play the fifth and final England vs India Test at The Oval.

Ashwin was not completely fit for the third Test. But the team gambled on him and it did not yield desired result. Ashwin struggled throughout the game and picked up only one wicket which fell on the last day of the Test. He bowled just one over in England’s first innings where the hosts lost their all 10 wickets in a single session. In the second innings, he bowled 22.5 overs and scalped a solitary wicket.

There were also doubts over his fitness for the last Test. However, he went on to play the game and fared poorly. In conditions where Moeen Ali picked up 9 wickets, Ashwin managed just three. His performance made many speculate that the off-spinner was not fully fit.

However, later Ravi Shastri confirmed that the spinner was fully fit. And now Ajinkya Rahane has also said that the Tamil Nadu ace is free from any injury.

Speaking ahead of the fifth Test, Rahane did not divulge much details about his teammate but said that Ashwin looks fit with the way he played.

“Ashwin’s fitness, I think Patrick will be a better judge to answer that. He played the last Test match and bowled really well and he fielded really well so I don’t think there is any issue with his fitness,” he said.

When asked about the team combination for the third Test, Rahane kept the cards close to his chest.

“You guys [media] are really smart to get that answer [team combination] but our team is not announced yet. Talking about Hanuma, he has been doing really well in the domestic season but we will have to wait and see what the captain and coach think of the team combination,” he said.

Rahane concluded by praising Alastair Cook who will retire after this Test.

“He [Cook] made his debut against India in India I guess. And I think he has been fantastic for England cricket. As an opener, averaging around 45 and playing 160 matches in 12-13 years, I think it’s magnificent. Credit to him, the way he handled his batting, technique and pressure from you guys [media]. I would like to wish him the best for his post-cricketing career.”