Though net bowler T Natarajan replaced Yadav in the Test squad, the Tamil Nadu pacer is unlikely to be considered for a place in the XI. The race will be between Mumbai's Shardul Thakur and Haryana's Navdeep Saini.
Pacer Shardul Thakur at the MCG nets on December 23. Pic/Getty Images
India will take a call on who will play in place of pacer Umesh Yadav in the third Test at Sydney starting Thursday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Though net bowler T Natarajan replaced Yadav in the Test squad, the Tamil Nadu pacer is unlikely to be considered for a place in the XI. The race will be between Mumbai's Shardul Thakur and Haryana's Navdeep Saini.
Sunday mid-day has learnt that Thakur has been sounded off by the team management for a call-up. His Test debut lasted only 10 balls in 2018 when he suffered a groin strain against West Indies at Hyderabad.
India are likely to stick with the five-bowler strategy and Thakur's decent batting ability tilts things in his favour.
He is capable of hitting some lusty blows as seen in the limited-overs series against Australia before the Tests began. Thakur has six half-centuries in first-class cricket.
It is also learnt that skipper Ajinkya Rahane is keen to go in with some experience rather than having two rookies [Saini and Mohammed Siraj] for the third Test.
Once the bowling department is sorted, the think tank will look into the changes on the batting front with Rohit Sharma now at their disposal.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
