Injury double whammy for India, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja out of Vizag Test vs England

The Indian Cricket Team has suffered a significant blow ahead of the crucial second Test against England, as key players KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja have been ruled out due to injuries. The duo, vital cogs in India's lineup, sustained niggles during the first Test in Hyderabad, forcing them to miss the upcoming clash in Vizag.

Rahul, who had a great outing with the bat in the first innings in Hyderabad, picked up a right quadriceps strain. The 31-year-old batsman, who has been in phenomenal form in recent times, will be sorely missed in the middle order, where his experience and solidity were crucial. All-rounder Jadeja, meanwhile, succumbed to a hamstring injury. The left-hander, like Rahul, played a superb innings in the first innings and his three-dimensional skill set will surely be a big miss.

Sarafaraz finally gets a Test call-up

In the wake of these setbacks, the Indian Cricket Board has announced the inclusion of three players in the squad- Sarfaraz Khan, Saurabh Kumar, and Washington Sundar.

Sarfaraz Khan, the 26-year-old from Mumbai, has been knocking on the doors of the national team for a while now. His consistent performances in domestic cricket, have finally earned him a call-up. His aggressive strokeplay and fearless attitude could be what India needs to bolster the middle order. Saurabh Kumar, the 30-year-old left-arm spinner, has also been rewarded for his domestic consistency. Meanwhile, Washington Sundar has earned a recall to the Test side thanks to his all-round skills.

Their inclusion injects a breath of fresh air into the squad and could potentially galvanize the team. While their inexperience might raise concerns, their youthful exuberance and fearless approach could also be India's trump card in the crucial Vizag Test. The upcoming clash promises to be a thrilling encounter, with India desperate to level the series. With the experienced duo of Rahul and Jadeja out of the picture, Rajat Patidar is in line for a Test debut while Kuldeep Yadav also looks certain to return to the playing 11.