4th Test: Injuries notwithstanding, India will put best XI on field, says Vikram Rathore

India’s batting coach Vikram Rathore

India's batting coach Vikram Rathore said that Jasprit Bumrah's abdominal strain is being monitored but dropped a hint that major changes are on the cards for the final Test against Australia after increase in the touring squad's injured tally.

Even a half fit Bumrah is unlikely to be risked by the Indian team management as it wants its pace spearhead in the World Test Championship deciding series against England, scheduled at home from February 5. "Injuries are still being monitored. Our medical staff are working with the players. I wouldn't be in a position to comment how it stands at the moment.

"We would like to give them as much time as they can and only tomorrow morning you will know, which XI is going to play," Rathore said on the eve of the series decider. Star spinner R Ashwin and opener Mayank Agarwal are also not fully fit. Interestingly, Rathore's another comment on playing XI was pretty telling where he put up a brave front, stating that all who would take the field deserve to play for India.

"With or without injuries, the 11 that India will put up will be the best 11 on the ground and all of them deserve to be there. All of them deserve the opportunity to play Test cricket and if they play to their potential, I don't see why we won't do well. So, we are again backing our processes and backing our players," the former opener, said hinting that both Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur are in fray.

As far as providing specifics on Bumrah, it seemed that the collective strategy of the team management is to not let the Australians feel that he is already out of contention. "The medical team is looking at him and so again we will wait till tomorrow to know whether he is fit or not," Rathore said.

‘Pant not aware that Steven Smith scuffed his guard'
India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant wasn't even aware that Steven Smith was removing his guard from the batting crease on the final day of the drawn third Test against Australia in Sydney, said India's batting coach Vikram Rathore on Thursday.

"We didn't even know about the incident. It was only after the game and after the media picked it up that we noticed it. As a batsman, Rishabh wasn't even aware of it. I wouldn't like to comment on it because it hardly mattered. He was not even aware of it," said Rathore.

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