IND vs ENG: Jack Leach ruled out of 2nd Test due to knee injury

With 36 Test match experience under his belt, Leach was the most seasoned spinner in the team.

Due to a left knee injury, England’s ace spinner Jack Leach will miss the second Test against India, dealing a serious blow to the national team. Ben Stokes, the captain of England, verified the findings and stated that a haematoma was caused by the knock.

With 36 Test match experience under his belt, Leach was the most seasoned spinner in the team. Tom Hartley made his Test debut in the first Test in Hyderabad, while Rehan Ahmed has played in two matches. Having just joined the England camp, Shoaib Bashir has not yet made his debut for his country. Former captain Joe Root could have to assume the role of a lead spinner in such a situation, while the other three are probably expected to work around him.

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Stokes went on to say that Leach is being closely watched by the medical staff, who anticipate his return as soon as possible.

“He’s ruled out of the second Test. Unfortunately, the knock he took resulted in a haematoma. It’s a big shame for us and a big shame for him. It’s something we’re assessing every day but the medical team have taken over on that, so hopefully it’s not something too serious that keeps him out for longer,” Stokes was quoted as saying on Sky Sports.

It is thought that Leach sustained the injury on the second day of the first Test. The thirty-two-year-old bowled just 10 overs in the second innings after delivering 26 overs in the first. The England captain acknowledged the development after he skipped the Wednesday training session. Since Bashir, a 20-year-old, is the frontrunner to take Leach’s spot in the starting XI, his absence makes room for him.

In his six first-class appearances, he has taken ten wickets at an average of 67. Conversely, Hartley’s stunning debut against the Indian batting line-up would be his goal to duplicate in order to secure England a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.