Mayank Agarwal hit on head by Mohammed Siraj short ball, likely to undergo concussion test
Nottingham, Aug 2: India's opening batsman Mayank Agarwal was on Monday hit on the back of his head by a short ball from teammate Mohammed Siraj during a training session ahead of the first Test against England.
While facing Siraj, possibly the fastest bowler in the current Indian line-up, Agarwal saw the ball thudding into his helmet when he took his eyes off a short ball.
When vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane was asked about fitness of all players, he did say that Agarwal sustained a head injury.
"Mayank Agarwal got hit on the head. The medical team is looking after him. All others are fit," Rahane told mediapersons.
Agarwal was seen in some discomfort after removing the helmet as he sat on the ground with physio Nitin Patel attending him.
He was then seen pressing the back of his head while leaving the nets, escorted by Patel.
It is expected that he will have to undergo a mandatory concussion test before being cleared to play the Test match, starting on Wednesday.
In case he is unable to play, KL Rahul, who has mostly opened in Test matches but prefers a middle-order slot these days, could be asked to face the new ball first up. The other option is Bengal opener Abhumanyu Easwaran.
A left field selection could be Hanuma Vihari, opening the innings, like he did in Australia.
In case Vihari opens and bowls his off-spin, seamer all-rounder Shardul Thakur could also be considered for selection.
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Saif Ali Khan’s attacker allegedly let in by house help, Police investigate
Mumbai: Mumbai Police suspect that the attacker who stabbed actor Saif Ali Khan six times during an alleged burglary attempt was let into his Bandra residence by one of his house helps. The house help is currently under scrutiny as police investigate the incident. The 54-year-old actor, who sustained injuries, including one near his spine, has undergone surgery at Lilavati Hospital and is reportedly out of danger.
The attack occurred late at night, and preliminary investigations suggest the assailant may have entered the premises hours earlier and waited for an opportunity to strike. CCTV footage from the residence did not capture any recent entry, strengthening the suspicion that the attacker was assisted by someone inside.
Police reported that the incident began as a scuffle during the burglary attempt. “An unidentified person intruded into the residence of Actor Saif Ali Khan. The actor and the intruder had a scuffle. The actor is injured and is being treated. Investigation is ongoing,” officials said.
The attack has raised questions about security in Mumbai’s high-profile areas. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticised the state government, highlighting similar incidents such as the murder of Baba Siddique and the firing outside Salman Khan’s residence. “If celebrities in Bandra are not safe, who in Mumbai is? This is a serious failure of law and order,” she said.
Actor Pooja Bhatt also expressed concerns, urging authorities to address the issue urgently. “Can this lawlessness please be curbed? Bandra has never felt so unsafe before,” she tweeted, tagging Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior officials.
Police are now focused on identifying the attacker, who fled the scene, and examining the possible role of the house help in the incident.
