Big blow to England as star player ruled of last three India Tests

Digital Desk: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Sunday, February 11, that spinner Jack Leach will not take part in the remaining Test matches against India because of a knee injury. This news has a major negative impact on England's chances in the series.

The injury was received by the seasoned left-arm spinner in the first Test match in Hyderabad, which England won. England were hesitant to rule him out straight away even though he did not play in the second Test in Visakhapatnam. Leach won't be available for the rest of the series, the ECB said, after evaluating his condition during the break in Abu Dhabi.

In the next 24 hours, he will fly home from Abu Dhabi, where the England team has been staying ahead of the third Test, which begins on Thursday, in Rajkot. Leach's recuperation will be closely monitored by the medical staffs of Somerset and England, according to a release from England Cricket.

The England team already contains four spinners, including part-timer Joe Root, therefore the ECB made it clear that no substitute will be called up.

Leach had a knee injury while fielding in the opening Test match, but he bounced back to take two wickets and help England win by 28 runs with both bat and ball. The spinner missed the Ashes because of a lower-back stress fracture, and it has been difficult for him to return to action. His last competitive encounter was in June of the previous year.

For the next Test matches, England will have an untested spin attack led by Joe Root, Rehan Ahmed, Shoaib Bashir, and Tom Hartley due to Jack Leach's unavailability. Hartley debuted in Hyderabad, Rehan has played three Tests, and Bashir made his debut in Visakhapatnam.

England will return to India on Monday after their stay in Abu Dhabi, where they will begin preparations for the third Test, which is slated to begin in Rajkot on February 15.