India weighs options as opener twists ankle during nets; Varun Chakravarthy emphasizes importance of domestic cricket.
January 25, 2025: India’s opener Abhishek Sharma suffered an injury scare ahead of the second T20I against England in Chennai on Friday. The 24-year-old twisted his ankle during a catching drill at the nets, prompting immediate attention from the team physiotherapist. After initial treatment on the field, Abhishek retreated to the dressing room to rest, limping slightly as he left. He did not bat during the net session and spent over half an hour with the physio.
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Abhishek’s absence would be a significant blow to India, especially after his quickfire 79-run knock in the first T20I in Kolkata, where India secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory. If he is ruled out of Saturday’s match, India may opt for Washington Sundar or Dhruv Jurel in the playing XI, with Tilak Varma potentially moving up the order to open alongside Sanju Samson. India currently leads the five-match series 1-0.
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Meanwhile, spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who played a key role in India’s first-match triumph by picking three crucial wickets, highlighted the importance of domestic tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Chakravarthy likened the tournament’s competitiveness to that of the IPL.
“The level of domestic cricket is extremely high, almost on par with IPL and international matches. Playing SMAT has been instrumental in improving my instincts, keeping me on my toes, and making smarter decisions on the field,” Chakravarthy said. His remarks echo the views of India head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who have emphasized domestic cricket’s role in player development.
Top cricketers, including skipper Rohit Sharma and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, recently participated in the Ranji Trophy, showcasing the growing focus on domestic games.
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