India vice-captain Rahane back in training session, chances of playing 1st Test increases

There is some good news for India’s test team, which is currently training in Durham, as vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane is showing signs of recovering from a hamstring injury and has started training ahead of the first test against England, which starts in Nottingham on August 4.

Rahane didn’t play India’s first-class game against Select County XI because of a “mild swelling around his left upper hamstring.” He was administered an injection to reduce the swelling and the pain associated with the injury.

It was learnt that Rahane has returned to practice on the day and apart from fielding and physical training sessions, he also had a proper net session at the Riverside Ground of Durham County.

While Suryakumar Yadav is being flown in alongside Prithvi Shaw as a middle-order cover but Rahane’s recovery is a good sign as the Indian vice-captain looks a likely starter in Nottingham.

In any case, Shaw and Surya are unlikely to reach Nottingham before the start of the first Test as they will have to undergo hard quarantine before being merged into the bio-bubble.

In any case, if Rahane happens to miss out, KL Rahul will be the first-choice replacement in the middle-order.

Mayank Agarwal is set to reclaim his opener’s slot alongside Rohit Sharma while Mohammed Siraj is also in the mix to start against England.