Team India’s struggle with injuries and withdrawal of key players could continue for the rest of the campaign against England. Rohit Sharma’s men are already 0-1 down in the five-Test series following their loss in the opener in Hyderabad.

There is uncertainty over the availability of Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja and Virat Kohli for the rest of the matches. The only encouraging news is that KL Rahul, who had been ruled out of the second Test starting in Visakhapatnam from Friday, is expected to play the third Test in Rajkot from February 15.

Kohli had withdrawn himself from the first two Tests citing personal reasons but it is understood that his absence from the team could be extended. The former captain is believed to be overseas and the Board has appealed for privacy on the whole issue. Kohli is learnt to have informed the powers-that-be about his chances of not playing the series.

“The BCCI respects his decision and the Board and team management has extended its support to the star batter and is confident in the abilities of the remaining squad members to step up and deliver commendable performances in the Test series,” Board secretary Jay Shah had earlier said in a media release.

Jadeja and Rahul were ruled out for the second Test initially because of a hamstring injury and right quadriceps pain, respectively. Both players are currently at the National Cricket Academy.

Rahul suffered a tear in the same area during the last IPL and had to undergo surgery which kept him out of
the game for almost four months. It was feared that the pain could aggravate it if he continued playing and the medical team didn’t wish to take any chances.

Sources told The Telegraph that his progress is being monitored daily and he should be available for the third Test.

The same, however, cannot be said for Jadeja and Shami. Jadeja’s left hamstring will take time to heal, and if all goes well, he could play from the fourth Test. He had been run out with a brilliant back-flick from Ben Stokes but Jadeja injured his hamstring in the process and clutched onto it as he walked off.

Jadeja’s unavailability has affected the team’s balance badly and though India have been trying to have a like-for-like replacement in Washington Sundar, it is never easy to compensate for Jadeja’s all-round absence on the field.

Shami’s case is even more curious. The fast bowler has been struggling with an ankle injury since the ODI World Cup and will not play any part in this series. Shami has been targeting the series for a return at some stage but people in the know claim that there’s no chance.

Whether he will be able to feature for Gujarat Titans in the IPL remains in doubt.