Bangladesh have suffered a major setback ahead of their upcoming two-match Test series against Australia, with fast bowler Nahid Rana ruled out due to injury. The pacer sustained a left side strain during the second T20I against Zimbabwe and was racing against time to regain full fitness before the Australia tour.

However, medical scans have confirmed that Rana has suffered a Grade 2 side strain, ending his hopes of featuring in the high-profile Test series. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has estimated that the speedster will require six to eight weeks to recover from the injury. Rana’s absence is a significant blow for Bangladesh, as he has emerged as one of the team’s premier fast bowlers with his pace and ability to trouble batters.

“He is ruled out and cannot go to Australia. Litton Kumar Das’s availability is subject to passing the fitness test,” said BCB official as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Bangladesh will also be without former captain Litton Das and left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam for the opening Test against Australia in Darwin, with both players continuing their rehabilitation from injuries.

Litton, who travelled to Singapore for a specialist consultation after suffering a left calf injury, underwent platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment. He is scheduled to begin a progressive running and conditioning programme from July 28, with a fitness assessment planned around August 13. If he receives medical clearance, the wicketkeeper-batter is expected to be available for the second Test.

Shoriful, meanwhile, sustained a Grade 1 left hamstring injury during the Zimbabwe series. The left-arm seamer is set to resume bowling from July 29 and will undergo a fitness assessment around August 12. Although he is unlikely to feature in the series opener, he is expected to return for the second Test, subject to successfully completing his bowling workload and receiving medical clearance.

The two-match ICC World Test Championship series begins in Darwin from August 13-17, before the second and final Test is played in Mackay from August 22-26.

India will look to whitewash Zimbabwe as the two teams lock horns in the third T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday, July 26.

The first T20I was won by seven wickets by the Men in Blue on Thursday. Meanwhile, the second T20I took place on Saturday, when the visitors registered a comprehensive 90-run victory. Zimbabwe will have to play out of their skins to challenge India.

ZIM vs IND, 3rd T20I: Toss Update

Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bat first, opining that the surface could get slower and slower as the game progresses, especially because it is a used pitch. On the other hand, Sikandar Raza admitted that he would have batted first had he won the toss.

ZIM vs IND, 3rd T20I: Suryansh Shedge, Ashok Sharma return

For the third T20I, India have brought Ashok Sharma and Suryansh Shedge into the side. While Ashok played the first T20I, Shedge will be playing his maiden international game in Zimbabwe. The former has come into the side in place of the injured Prince Yadav. Meanwhile, Shivam Dube has made way for Shedge. It seems that Dube has been rested to give Shedge a chance to showcase his talent.

For Zimbabwe, there is only one change. Raza confirmed that Richard Ngarava has a slight niggle and he has been replaced by left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza.

ZIM vs IND, 3rd T20I: What did the captains say?

Shreyas Iyer, India captain:

We’re going to bat first considering that we are playing on the same wicket and anticipating for it to get slower and slower. [Happy with the way this pitch played yesterday?] Certainly, we got 220 on the board and we got a phenomenal start the way boys played. It’s just, you know, coming today in the morning and reflecting back on those performances give me thrills and obviously want to replicate the same performance again. [On the approach from Indian batters] It’s going to be important for us to adapt as quickly as possible. Can’t guarantee how the wicket is going to play. Is it going to be similar to yesterday or not? But as quickly we adapt, the better for us, and then we’ll try to put a great score on the board. [On the team composition] We’ve got two changes. Prince is out, so Ashok Sharma comes in for him. And Shivam Dube is out, Suryansh comes in.

Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe captain:

[Are you happy to bowl first?] Yeah, we’re gonna have to do that anyway. But yeah, had we won the toss, we were looking to bat first as well. But it wasn’t because of the slowness of the surface. We know scores have remained pretty good throughout, but we just wanted to bat first today. [On mood in the change room] All I said today was that you all are doing really well. I think with the team lapses, it’s slightly more runs needed from the captain. So you guys are all doing a really good job. Now it’s on me to try and rock up as well as a captain. Hopefully, God has given us another opportunity to rock up today and hopefully myself and along with the team as well, can put up a good batting and bowling performance. [On the team composition] We are forced into making a change early this morning. Richard Ngarava unfortunately has a slight niggle, so he misses out and Wellington Masakadza comes in.

ZIM vs IND, 3rd T20I: Playing XIs

India:

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer(C), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Ravi Bishnoi, Ashok Sharma, Yash Thakur, Mayank Yadav.

Zimbabwe:

Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to conduct a review of the Indian men’s team’s performance in the recently concluded series in Ireland, England and Zimbabwe.

India suffered their first-ever defeat to Ireland, being whitewashed 2-0 in the two matches in Belfast, before being thrashed 4-0 by England, losing their number one spot in the T20I rankings after more than two years of pure dominance. They also lost the ODI series 2-1 to the Three Lions, with Harry Brook’s men emerging victorious in the final match at Lord’s. However, they have sealed the series against Zimbabwe, winning the first two matches.

According to Cricbuzz, the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said that the review is set to commence in August and will cover the recent white-ball games, especially those in the UK where India’s only win came in a solitary ODI. The exact date of the meeting has not been specified. Saikia also confirmed that the board will be looking into the contracts of members of the support staff. 

It was earlier reported that assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has requested the board to relieve him of his duties, completing his initial two-year deal. There remains uncertainty over the future of fielding coach T Dilip after India’s poor performance in the field in the UK, with their fielding and catching attracting much scrutiny.

Test squad for SL series to be announced on Tuesday, Reddy still doubtful

It was further reported by the aforementioned source that the squad for the Test series in Sri Lanka would be announced on Tuesday, July 28. India will play two Tests in Galle and Colombo from August 15 to 27. The squad is expected to be similar to the one from the one-off Test against Afghanistan, with a few changes. Questions remain over the potential inclusion of Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the ODI at Lord’s due to a knee issue. 

It was also mentioned that all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has been undergoing rehabilitation for a quadricep injury, is unlikely to be selected for the series. He has started bowling at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, but is yet to be deemed fit for five-day matches. An all-format regular for India, Reddy is expected to feature in the white-ball matches scheduled for September. Reddy’s last appearance was in the third ODI in Chennai against Afghanistan, and he was in the squad for the one-off Test as well.