India took a big hit during the second Test Match at MCG when pacemaker Umesh Yadav limped off the field due to an injury he sustained while bowling in the second inning. India was already losing the services of experienced fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma and Umesh’s injury added salt to the wounds. Only Jasprit Bumrah is the only first-choice closer left for India on the team with players like Mohammed Siraj making his Melbourne Test debut.
It is reported that Umesh has flown back to India due to a torn calf muscle and will miss the rest of the series. He said the India team has decided to add left-arm closer Thangarasu Natarajan to the team for the third test in place of Umesh.
The Indian team leadership is likely to prefer Shardul Thakur over Natarajan in Test 3 against Australia over the injured Umesh.
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The third test starts in Sydney from January 7.
“While people are excited about the brilliant progress shown by T Natarajan, we must not forget that he has only played one first-class match for Tamil Nadu. And Shardul has been an experienced national soccer player in Mumbai, ”a BCCI source told PTI on Thursday about developments in Australia.
“Shardul was really unfortunate because his Test debut against the West Indies ended abruptly due to injury before he could even throw an over. He has been training well and could replace Umesh in the XI game, ”added the source.
The final call will be taken by head coach Ravi Shastri, alternate skipper Ajinkya Rahane and bowling coach Bharath Arun after arriving in Sydney.
Shardul has played 62 top-class games so far and has 206 wickets to show for his efforts.
Another aspect that India would like to address before the Third Test is a long queue that has affected the team.
Shardul is six first-class half centuries and during his stint on the national team in white ball games, he has proven to be a decent hitter.
“Obviously the next training sessions will be important and that is why the final call is likely to be taken in Sydney,” the source said.
As for Yadav, he is expected to head to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for an extensive rehabilitation program. The 33-year-old had limped off the field after sustaining the injury on the third day of the Boxing Day test.
(with PTI inputs)
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