England batsman Ollie Pope faces a battle to be fit for the start of the India Test series after suffering a thigh injury.

Pope damaged a muscle in his left thigh while batting for Surrey in a Vitality Blast match against Kent Spitfires last week.

He is a doubt for the first game of the series against Virat Kohli's side at Trent Bridge on August 4.

The England and Wales Cricket Board stated: "England batsman Ollie Pope has been ruled out until England's Test Series against India after suffering a left thigh muscle injury.

"Pope sustained the injury while batting during Surrey’s Vitality Blast match against Kent Spitfires on Friday 2 July.

"The ECB and Surrey fitness teams will work together to deliver Pope’s rehabilitation with a focus for him to be available to return for the first Test against India."

It is another unfortunate setback for Pope, who underwent shoulder surgery after dislocating his shoulder in a Test against Pakistan last August – the second time he had suffered that injury.