Mayank Agarwal has been ruled out of India’s opening Test match against England because of a concussion. Agarwal was hit in the head by Mohammed Siraj during a training session in Nottingham on 2 August, two days before the first of the five-match Test series.
Agarwal copped the blow while trying to duck a bouncer from Siraj. He took his eyes off the ball before it thudded into his helmet, and fell down soon after. A few minutes later, he walked out alongside team physio Nitin Patel, and was seen pressing the back of his head while walking off.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed Agarwal’s concussion in a media release: ‘Opening batsman Mayank Agarwal was hit on the helmet while batting during India’s nets session at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Monday … The BCCI Medical Team assessed him, and a concussion test was conducted. He has shown signs of concussion and is ruled out of the opening Test against England.’
In Agarwal’s absence, KL Rahul is likely to open for India in the first Test against England, starting 4 August at Trent Bridge. India’s other option will be Abhimanyu Easwaran, who is with the squad as a reserve player.