India crosses their fingers and hopes to avoid any other injury to their existing squad as the fourth test and decision in the Border / Gavaskar series begins.
The visitors waited until Friday morning to release their final line, as a long injury list was getting longer.
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With Virat Kohli (father’s leave), Mohammed Shami (arm), Umesh Yadav (calf), Ishant Sharma (side), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (thigh) and KL Rahul (wrist) already, India has been -into four other changes for the series decision.
Jasprit Bumrah (abdominal), Ravichandran Ashwin (back spasm), Hanuma Vihari (hamstring) and Ravindra Jadeja (thumb) were all removed from the sidelines, with Mayank Agarwal, Shardul Thakur and Thangarasu Natarajan editors and Washington Sundar stepping into them.
It means that Mohammed Siraj, who did not make his debut at the MCG, will lead an inexperienced distance attack.
The absence of Bumrah and Ashwin, who was a major contender for the series ’honors and dug in with the baton to draw at the SCG and set up a winner test at the Gabba, leaving her large empty space for the tourists.
“There was no other choice. Ultimately it’s about a chance for all those boys to play,” standing captain Ajinkya Rahane said of making so many changes.
Ravindra Jadeja (thumb) and Hanuma Vihari (hamstring) were also executed.
It has been a cursed series of injuries to India.
Agarwal, Rishabh Pant (arm) and Cheteshwar Pujara (finger) are all pushing through the pain barrier in Brisbane.
The long injury list sparked some amazing comments from fans on social media.
I have never seen a list of injuries like this. @ Mickeyarthurcr1 description of locking effects and @ ashwinravi99 he pointed out as well. He has a bad back, Bumrah is unlikely to play, Agarwal is injured … if India had not taken such a large group, there would be 11 left
– Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 12, 2021
No Virat Kohli.
No Jasprit Bumrah.
No Ravi Ashwin.
No Ishant Sharma.
No Mohammad Shami.5 top players do not play in the series decision against Australia in Australia.
What a disaster 😭😭😭😭 ..– रोहित.विश्नोई (@The_Kafir_boy) 14 January 2021
Adding to the mind of this Test series! 4 changes for India. There is no place for Saha or Yadav. But debuts for T Natarajan and Sundar, Aus wins and bats #AUSvIND
– Isa Guha (@isaguha) January 15, 2021
#AUSvsIND
So no Bumrah no Ashwin. Siraj and Saini along with Natarajan, Shardul and Sundar. A good number of bowling options for India, but could we have thought of this bowling attack when this series started? NO WAY. It should be inspiring!– Rahul Pandey (@sportstoryguy) 14 January 2021
Saini- 1 Test
Siraj- 2 tests
Shardhul Test- 1
Nattu- without knowledge
Kartik tyagi- without knowledge
When was the last time india played with the least experienced fast bowling unit?– Venkatesh (@ Imvenkii91) January 12, 2021
Harris responds SOS to test series decision
Australia are banking on Marcus Harris to help deliver victory in their most important test on home soil since Justin Langer became coach.
Langer ‘s side have crushed Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand in home series as they rise in the test rankings following the fake Cape Town scandal.
India, who took out the Australian side that will be sorely missed by top-flight champions Steve Smith and David Warner in 2018-19, have been giving a firm stance this summer.
The four-level test series is at 1-1 after SCG draw.
The Australian award in Brisbane would be rewarded with a Border-Gavaskar award, which they have not caught since 2017, and the top spot on the International Cricket Council ranking.
Will Pucovski’s shoulder injury has ushered Harris into the full-weight tournament that begins Friday.
Harris, who was dumped after the ashes of 2019, has waited 16 months for a trial recall.
The left-back has watched Pucovski’s favorite picks, David Warner, Joe Burns and Matthew Wade at the top of the order through the regular series.
The AAP
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