The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that a stiff back has kept skipper Virat Kohli out of India's 3-day warm-up match. In his absence, Rohit Sharma has been leading the side against County Select XI.

Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane also had to miss out because of a mild swelling around his left upper hamstring, which has been addressed by an injection. Both Kohli and Rahane have been advised rest by the BCCI medical team.

They are expected to fully recover for the first Test against England starting from 4th August at Nottingham.

Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) made a request to the Indian team management to let two players from the Indian contingent play for County Select XI after some of their players were deemed to be unavailable either due to injury or close contacts of a Covid-19 positive person. Accordingly, Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan have been made available to play for their team.