Indian speedster Umesh Yadav has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series between India and Australia after picking up a calf muscle injury in the second Test at Melbourne. Therefore, it is a no brainer that another bowler has to be included into the Indian squad ahead of the Sydney Test.
As per fresh reports, the Indian team management is likely to go ahead with Shardul Thakur for the third encounter ahead of T Natarajan. The left-armer’s lack of first-class experience could see him miss out on the opportunity.
“While people are excited about the brilliant progress shown by T Natarajan, we mustn’t forget he has played only one first-class match for Tamil Nadu. And Shardul has been a seasoned domestic red ball pacer for Mumbai,” a source told PTI.
“Shardul was really unfortunate that his Test debut against West Indies ended abruptly due to injury even before he could bowl an over. He has been shaping up well and might replace Umesh in the playing XI.”
Though Natarajan impressed everyone with his exceptional bowling performances in the white-ball leg of the tour, he has played only 20 first-class matches picking up 64 wickets. On the other hand Shardul Thakur boasts of 206 wickets in 62 matches.
Head coach Ravi Shastri, stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane and bowling coach Bharath Arun are likely to take the final decision after reaching Sydney.
“Obviously the next few training sessions will be important and that’s why the final call is likely to be taken in Sydney,” the source said.