Mumbai

The National Cricket Academy’s rehabilitation programme once again came under the scanner after seamer Shardul Thakur’s Test debut against West Indies lasted just 10 deliveries due to the recurrence of a groin strain sustained during the Asia Cup in Dubai.

After bowling the fourth delivery of the fourth over, Thakur appeared in considerable pain. After physio Patrick Farhart had a look, the pacer hobbled off the field. “Shardul Thakur has gone for scans. He will not take the field today. An update on his participation for the rest of the Test will be taken after looking at the scans,” BCCI said in a press release.
Thakur had suffered “right hip and groin soreness” after the game against Hong Kong in the Asia Cup opener last month. However, 10 days later he was back in action in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. “Groin injury is a fitness related injury and not an on-field one.