Problems appear to be getting worse for the Indian team in the ongoing test series in Australia. It was already known that Captain Virat Kohli would return home after the first test in Adelaide. For the first two days, everything seemed to work out for the visitors. But on the third day, the script changed when India suffered a hitting collapse rarely seen before.
The last time India collapsed below 50 in a test inning was in 1974, when they were eliminated by 43 against England. On Saturday, the team led by Virat Kohli posted India’s lowest total in a test inning of 36. The game ended before tea. Australia took a 1-0 lead, and now India would have to try to win at least two of the three remaining events to win the series.
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Adding to India’s troubles, right arm fast bowler Mohammed Shami suffered a blow to his forearm and reportedly suffered a broken arm. According to a report by the ANI news agency, Shami has been removed from the Test series, although an official confirmation from the BCCI is still awaited. Indian hitting legend Sunil Gavaskar believes Shami’s injury is a big problem for the Indian team.
“It is (Shami’s injury) a big problem. he has the ability to take terrain, he can surprise the opposition with his gorillas and yorkers. If he is not playing then it will be a problem for India, ”Gavaskar told Sports Tak.
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Gavaskar even suggested that India should immediately bring Ishant Sharma if he is fit. “If Ishant Sharma is fit, I suggest he send him to Australia now. If he’s capable of throwing 20 overs in one day, management should send him to Australia on tomorrow’s flight so he can be ready for the Sydney Test, ”he said.
“I am saying that India should consider taking a risk because now there is no adequate backing. Navdeep Saini has the potential to choose wickets, but from the way he pitched in the warm-up games, it doesn’t seem like he can bother Australia’s hitters, “he added.
India will face Australia again at MCG when the two teams meet for the Boxing Day test.
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