'Injured' Hameed to miss remaining India Tests

Mohali (Punjab) [India], Nov. 29 (ANI): Haseeb Hameed has been ruled out of the remaining two matches against India, confirmed England skipper Alastair Cook on Tuesday saying the 19-year-old batsman needs to return home to have surgery on his injured hand. Hameed, who came to bat at No. 8 in the second innings due to his finger injury, produced a hugely resilient display to end unbeaten on 59 on Day Four of the Mohali Test before England were eventually bundled out for 236, giving India a target of 103, which the hosts reached with eight wickets in hand. "Unfortunately, he's got to go home and have a plate put in his hand, it's pretty bad," ESPNcricinfo quoted Cook as saying. "It's a real testament to his courage, and I've no doubt we'll see him again in an England shirt," he added. The 19-year-old was due to have an x-ray after the third Test finished, but instead it was done on Day Three with the results sent back to the UK for assessment. Hameed had taken blows during the first two Tests in Rajkot and Visakhapatnam and was also struck on the hand when dismissed in the first innings in Mohali. The right-handed batsman had enjoyed an impressive start to his Test career making 82 in the second innings of his Test debut in Rajkot and resisted for 144 balls as England attempted to bat out for a draw the second Test. The visitors, who are currently trailing by 0-2 in the five-match series, will now need to consider a replacement to the squad ahead of the Mumbai Test which begins on December 8. (ANI)