Saha to be monitored for finger injury

NEW DELHI: Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha is set to be monitored by the BCCI’s medical team for a finger injury that he picked up during the IPL Qualifier against Kolkata Knight Riders on May 25.

This raises a question mark over his availability for Afghanistan’s inaugural Test in Bengaluru from June 14. The BCCI will wait for a fresh assessment on the injury before taking a final call on his availability for the Test.

Saha was struck on his right thumb by a Shivam Mavi bouncer, and was immediately in some discomfort. Although he continued to bat, he was dismissed soon after. He also missed six games in the IPL because of a shoulder niggle. Saha is India’s only frontline wicketkeeper in the 15-man squad for the Afghanistan Test.

If he’s ruled out, India have the option of looking for a back-up or hand the gloves to KL Rahul, who had previously chipped in with wicketkeeping duties for a day in a Test match in Sri Lanka. He was more recently wicketkeeper for Kings XI Punjab.