Major blow for India ahead of first Test against England

Major blow for India ahead of first Test against England, as middle-order batter Karun Nair sustained an injury during practice, Indian media reported on Thursday.

Nair, who was making a comeback to the national side after nearly eight years, was struck on the ribs by a sharp delivery from pacer Prasidh Krishna during a net session at Headingley. The incident left him in visible discomfort and has now put his availability for the series opener in doubt.

The Indian team management has not yet released an official statement on his condition.

Nair was expected to be part of India’s playing XI after earning a recall through consistent performances in domestic cricket, including a double-century in the India A vs England Lions series and a key role in Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy triumph.

This five-match series, which starts on Friday, June 20, also marks the beginning of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle for both India and England. The remaining matches are set to be played at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval.

Nair last played a Test in 2017 and is best known for becoming only the second Indian to score a triple-century in Test cricket. However, injuries and selection choices kept him out of the team in recent years.

India squad for England Tests:

Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.