India pacer Umesh Yadav, who sustained a calf injury while bowling his fourth over during Australia’s second innings on Day 3 has been ruled of the remainder of the Test series against Australia.
If reports to be believed, Umesh Yadav is heading home for rehabilitation after being ruled out of the fourth and final Test in Brisbane as well.
Umesh’s injury leaves the Indian bowling unit even more depleted. Ahead of the Boxing Day Test, key bowler, Mohammed Shami was ruled out of the series due to fractured hand.
“Umesh Yadav complained of pain in his calf while bowling his 4th over and was assessed by the BCCI medical team. He is being taken for scans now,” BCCI media team said in a statement.
The 33-year-old pacer, who was wicketless in the 1st innings, claimed the wicket of Australian opener Joe Burns on Day 3 before leaving the field, after delivering just 13 balls in the morning.
“Umesh is unlikely to take the field any further in this match and also looks doubtful for the next Test,” a BCCI source said.
Shardul Thakur or T Natarajan, who were a part of Indian side as net bowlers, are likely to start in the third Test against Australia, scheduled to start at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 7.
“His scans came in and he will miss the third and fourth game. So, there was no point in holding him back and it is better that he returns to the country and undergoes rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). He left on Wednesday night,” a source privy to the development told ANI.
“With limited options available, the team management can ask for Natarajan to be added to the squad,” the source added.
With Shardul Thakur, T Natarajan and Navdeep Saini available for the third Test, it will be interesting to see who will get a chance in the playing XI for the third Test against Australia.