Ravichandran Ashwin hit on the hand during training session, injury not serious

Ashwin celebrating after taking the wicket of Haris Sohail

Ravichandran Ashwin picked up an injury while batting in the nets ahead of India's Group B game against South Africa on Sunday in Melbourne. He was hit on the hand by an Umesh Yadav delivery, and the blow forced him to come out of the nets.

According to the team doctor, ice was applied on his hand for five minutes, after which he continued his training session with the bat for another 20 minutes without any major discomfort.

The team’s media manager has come out and clarified that the injury is not serious and that the 28-year-old will likely start in the next match against the Proteas. Against Pakistan, Ashwin bowled exceptionally well and had excellent figures of 1 for 41 in his 8 overs, of which three were maidens.

Any more injuries for India would heavily affect their chances of defending the World Cup as the defending champions are already without their frontline pacer Ishant Sharma, who was ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. Also, there are still question marks over another speedster’s match fitness, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is nursing an ankle injury.

India faces South Africa this Sunday and will be certainly under a lot of pressure as they have never won a World Cup match against the Proteas.