As if being 1-2 with the series still on the line and rumours of friction inside the dressing room weren’t enough, injury has plagued the India cricket team as well. Akash Deep, who has been Team India’s best bowler after Jasprit Bumrah in the last two matches, has been ruled out of the India vs Australia 5th Test.
Akash Deep has been ruled out due to back spasm confirmed Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir. The pacer bowled 43 of the 204 overs Team India threw down in Melbourne but remained unlucky, taking just 2 wickets. The consensus among experts was that Akash Deep bowled well but was ‘unlucky’ to get little to no reward.
Harshit Rana in, Prasidh Krishna’s inclusion depends on conditions
As if luck wasn’t bad enough when it came to consistent lines and lengths not earning him wickets, he’s now picked up an injury as well. It’s expected that Harshit Rana, who played in Perth and Adelaide, will return to the side.
Considering that weather might play a role and the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) pitch may not turn as it usually does, the management might decide to field another pacer, Prasidh Krishna, in place of one of their spinners, Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja.
Rishabh Pant reprimanded, Dhruv Jurel gets lucky
When it came out yesterday that Rishabh Pant might be reprimanded for his two rash shots in the India vs. Australia 4th Test, everyone brushed it aside. But the news is being reported once again. According to the Indian Express, Gambhir isn’t happy with how the wicketkeeper batted when the team was in trouble and is ready to bench the best Test batter India has had in the last five years.
He’ll instead be replaced by Dhruv Jurel, who played in Perth. Jurel was part of the India A tour of Australia and scored back-to-back in the sole match he played on that tour just before joining the main side. One mustn’t forget his brilliant 90 against England in Ranchi. That was his second innings in Test cricket, and the amount of composure he displayed was commendable. He’ll be a great addition to the side, but if it’s at the expense of Rishabh Pant, it may not be the best decision.
Team India’s squad for Sydney Test
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Sarfaraz Khan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Shubman Gill, Devdutt Padikkal, Tanush Kotian, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Harshit Rana
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