Youthful quick bowler Avesh Avesh Khan’s tour of England is set to end abruptly subsequent to being ruled out of India’s warm-up top-class game against County XI due to a left-thumb fracture he sustained on the first day of the match in Durham. 

Avesh Khan, the right-arm quick bowler, addressed the County XI side after a couple of their players went on required isolation for interacting with COVID-19 positive people. Avesh Khan just after lunch on Tuesday, effectively blocked a punched drive from Hanuma Vihari yet recoiled in pain. Minutes after the fact he strolled off, close by the Indian physiotherapist, with a strapped left thumb. 

A senior BCCI official informed that Avesh Khan, who was a stand-by player, could be out for a considerable period of time due to the injury and the Indian team management will have at least one net bowler short going into the Test series, starting August 4 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

“Avesh is not likely to take any further part in the series, leave alone this game. It’s a thumb fracture. He will not be bowling for at least a month and after that rehabilitation is likely to start. In another three days, the picture is supposed to get clearer,” the BCCI source said.

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The BCCI on Wednesday didn’t elaborate on the exact nature of the injury but stated: “Fast bowler Avesh Khan remains under the observation of the Medical Team. He will not be taking any further part on Day 2 and Day 3 of the warm-up game.”

On Wednesday, the BCCI’s media team sent an update on Avesh Khan, saying he would “not be taking any further part” in the warm-up match and that he “remains under observation”. Avesh Khan and Washington Sundar had both been permitted by the Indian team management to turn up for the County Select XI, which had two vacant slots since the pair of James Bracey and Zak Chappell were not available. Bracey had been identified as contact of a Covid-19 positive case and had to be pulled out of the squad, while Chappell suffered an injury on Tuesday morning.

Avesh Khan got injured while bowling the penultimate delivery of his 10th overs during the post-lunch session on Tuesday when he stopped a rasping bowler’s back-drive from Hanuma Vihari on reflex with his left hand.

India on Day-1

Most of the batsmen couldn’t build on their starts as India reached 306 for nine at stumps on Day I. Ravindra Jadeja scored 75. Rohit (9), Cheteshwar Pujara (21) and Hanuma Vihari (24) were among others dismissed.

While Kohli felt some stiffness in his back late on Monday evening, Rahane has mild swelling around his left upper hamstring which “has been addressed by an injection.”

Rahul, who batted at No.5, made 101 off 150 balls before being retired out. The Indians are still undecided on Rohit Sharma’s opening partner after Shubman Gill was ruled out with a shin injury. Mayank Agarwal, the other opening choice, made 28.

The 24-year-old has 100 wickets from 26 first-class games and many believed that he might have made his Test debut sooner or later with five Test matches on the anvil. 

Avesh Khan had been named as one of the five reserves by the Indian selectors in the 25-man crew which was reported in May. He turns into the second player, after Shubman Gill, to be ruled out of the series. The details of Gill’s injury have not yet been put out by the BCCI, however, it is discovered that the opening hitter had been hampered by a niggle in the lower half of his left leg, which surfaced post the World Test Championship final in June.