Mumbai has been dealt a serious setback as India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal would miss the defending champions' Ranji Trophy semifinal match against Vidarbha at Jamtha in Nagpur, which is scheduled to start on Monday, because of experiencing pain in his left ankle. As per the TOI report, after being left out of India's ICC Champions Trophy team and designated as a "non-travelling reserve" Jaiswal will now go to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to have his injury further assessed and treated.
"Jaiswal has been ruled out of the Ranji Trophy semifinals clash as he is suffering from a left ankle pain. He fielded in Mumbai's practice session today at Nagpur, but looked uncomfortable while batting in the nets. It is an old injury which has recurred. He has to leave for the BCCI's Centre of Excellence tomorrow to start his recovery process," a source told TOI.
Jaiswal might get out of the non-travelling reserves list
The shocking development means the national selectors might have to designate a new "non-travelling reserve" for the Champions Trophy. Jaiswal's injury-related absence from the crucial game is a major blow to Mumbai. However, the Mumbai selectors are unlikely to make any changes to the team, as Jaiswal confirmed his availability for the match and was inserted as the 18th man in the lineup. The crucial match is a rematch of the Ranji Trophy final at the Wankhede Stadium from the previous season.
Varun Chakravarthy replaced Jaiswal in Champions Trophy squad
After his strong performance in the T20I series, spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been guaranteed a spot in the squad. After deceiving England by claiming 14 wickets in five T20 Internationals, Chakaravarthy was called up for the ODI series as well. He made his debut in the match in Cuttack, where he finished with figures of 1/54. However, despite being ruled out Yashasvi Jaiswal has been kept in non-travelling reserves.
Jaiswal also made his ODI debut in the series opener in Nagpur. However, he was dismissed for 15 (22) and did not make an impression. Jaiswal was benched in the second match after Virat Kohli recovered and Shreyas Iyer returned to his best in the first. The southpaw, who will be joining Shivam Dube and Mohammed Siraj at the mega event, has been moved to reserved players. Ever since returning to international cricket, Chakravarthy has been playing at an incredible level. He has taken 31 wickets in 12 innings since October 2024 at an average of 11.25 and an economy of 7.18, including two five-wicket hauls.
After taking 14 wickets in five games at an average of 9.85, Varun was recently named Player of the Series in the five-match T20I series against England. Chakravarthy's outstanding performance has also propelled him into the top five of the ICC T20I rankings