There were a number of surprises on the cards for the Indian cricket team fans as Team India locked horns with Select County XI in their first practice match in Durham on Tuesday (July 20). The absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli and the likes of R Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane from the playing XI baffled many but that was not the most surprising part.

Indian fans were left perplexed on social media after witnessing two Indian players – Avesh Khan and Washington Sundar turn up for the County XI in the practice match against India. While Sundar is a capped Test player, Avesh is yet to make his Test debut and has travelled to England with the team as one of the backup pacers.

Avesh was seen bowling to India captain Rohit Sharma for County XI during the warm-up match in Durham. Rohit is leading the side as Kohli has been rested for the game. Avesh looked out of sorts at the start of his spell as he was taken to the cleaners by Rohit’s opening partner Mayank Agarwal, who smashed four boundaries in three overs from him.

Here is why Avesh and Sundar are playing for County XI against India:

As per the commentators, both Avesh and Sundar had to be included in the County XI side due to ‘multiple reasons’ including COVID-19 scare for the hosts. One of the players from the original County XI squad came into contact with a COVID-19 positive person and had to pull out. Another player picked up an injury and had to miss the game.

While the rest of the County XI players were in their regular England whites, Avesh and Sundar played in their India kits. Lyndon James drew the first blood for County XI in the game by removing India captain Rohit on 9 off 33 balls before he cleaned up Agarwal on 28 off 35 balls. Cheteshwar Pujara also departed cheaply on 21 as India were reduced to 80/3 at Lunch on Day 1.

County XI side for India game: Haseeb Hameed, Jake Libby, Robert Yates, Washington Sundar, Will Rhodes (c), James Rew (wk), Lyndon James, Liam Patterson-White, Jack Carson, Craig Miles, Avesh Khan