Mayank Agarwal out of first Test against England

Indian opener Mayank Agarwal has been ruled out of the first Test against England at Nottingham after being struck on helmet via a Mohammed Siraj delivery in the nets. The BCCI medical team quickly assessed the situation and released a statement that Agarwal showed signs of concussion and he is stable right now.

“The 30-year-old is stable and will remain under close medical observation,” stated a BCCI release on Monday (August 2).

Mayank Agarwal featured in 14 Tests for Team India and scored 1052 runs at an average of 45.23 in 23 innings. He scored 3 centuries and 4 half centuries with a highest score of 243 which came against Bangladesh at Indore in 2019.

The first Test against England at Nottingham on August 4 marks the new World Test Championship cycle for both India and England.

Team India is already in a fix with a series of injuries after the World Test Championship final against New Zealand in June. Shubman Gill, Washington Sindar and Avesh Khan have been ruled out of the series as Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav flew to England as replacements. The Mumbai pair will have to quarantine for 10 days and will be available from the third Test.

Meanwhile England has lost the services of their ace allrounder Ben Stokes who has taken a indefinite break to take of his mental well being.

With the absence of Mayank Agarwal, India has opening options in the form of KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Hanuma Vihari. As per some reports KL Rahul could be a front runner for the opening spot.

Team India is likely to field 1 spinner and Mohammed Siraj could make it to the playing XI as the conditions favor the pacers.

The first Test begins on August 4 at Trent Bridge.