R Ashwin suffers minor injury ahead of first Test against England

India's premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin today suffered a minor hand injury and as a precautionary measure did not not take field on the second day of the ongoing three-day practice game against Essex.

Ashwin was hit on the right hand during a net session this morning. To avoid any further damage, Ashwin decided not to bowl, bat or field today.

The Indian team management said that the physio has taken a look and deduced that it was only a minor injury.

Ashwin later bowled in the nets during the lunch break today.

India were all out for 395 in 100.2 overs with Dinesh Karthik top-scoring for the visitors with his 82-run knock.

The first Test begins in Birmingham on August 1 and spinners are likely to play a key role, considering the hot conditions, suitable for Indian bowlers.