'Injured' Shami, Saha ruled out of Chennai Test

Indian fast bowler Mohammad Shami and wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha have been ruled out of the fifth and the final Test against England due to their respective injuries.

While Saha is still recovering from a hamstring tendon injury which he sustained during the second Test in Visakhapatnam, Shami has soreness in his right knee and has been advised rehabilitation.

"Shami has soreness in his right knee and has been advised rest and rehabilitation. He will be going to the National Cricket Academy, Bengaluru to start his recovery programme," the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed via a press release.

"Saha who suffered a hamstring tendon injury in the second Test of the ongoing series against England at Vizag, is undergoing rehabilitation programme at the NCA," the statement added.

Shami, who picked up 10 wickets at an average of 25.2 in the first three Tests, was earlier rested from the Playing XI for the ongoing fourth match in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, the hamstring injury forced Saha to miss the third and the Mumbai Test.

Parthiv Patel, who played only a solitary Test for India since 2004, was called in as a replacement for the Bengal wicketkeeper at the back of some consistent performances in domestic cricket.

The selectors, however, are yet to announce Shami's replacement for the fifth match beginning on December 16 in Chennai.