England’s main spin bowler, Jack Leach, will not play in the remaining matches of the five-test series against India due to a left knee injury, as confirmed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Sunday.
During the first test in Hyderabad, Leach injured his knee twice while fielding, and he missed the second match in Visakhapatnam. The hosts won that match, leveling the series at 1-1. Leach, who took two wickets in the first test, will not be replaced, and he will return home from Abu Dhabi, where the team has been staying before the third match in Rajkot starting on Thursday.
The ECB stated, “Leach will work closely with the England and Somerset medical teams for his rehabilitation.”
In the second test, England handed a debut to Shoaib Bashir in place of Leach. Bashir, who missed the opener due to a visa delay, was part of the team for the second match.
Virat Kohli, the Indian batsman, will also be absent from the final three tests due to personal reasons.
