India have been dealt a blow ahead of the second Test with Australia in Perth, after Ravichandran Ashwin and Rohit Sharma were both reportedly ruled out of the second Test with various injuries.
Numerous outlets are reporting the Ashwin won’t be available for the visitors with an abdominal strain, while Sharma is out with a rumoured jarred back.
To make matters worse for the tourists, Prithvi Shaw hasn’t recovered from his earlier ankle injury and also won’t be available.
India will likely turn to Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav as they look to assault Australia with a four-man pace attack on the green Perth wicket.
Part-time spinner Hanuma Vihari is tipped to take Sharma’s spot in the middle order.
The 32-year-old Ashwin was leaned on heavily by the Indians in the first Test, bowling 86.5 overs across the two innings – Jasprit Bumrah was next with 48.
He went 3/57 in the first innings – removing three of Australia’s top four batsmen in Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh – before claiming the scalps of Aaron Finch, Khawaja and Josh Hazlewood for the final out in the second.
While the vastly-different Perth pitch would have likely seen him used far less anyway, his absence will still be sorely felt by an Indian side desperate to secure their first ever Test series win in Australia.
Sharma, on the other hand, struggled in the first Test. After putting up a solid first innings, he threw his wicket away on 37 runs, before falling for just the one run in the second.
While Sharma has never quite been able to take flight at Test level, his outrageous form in white-ball cricket has made him on of the most ominous batting propositions in the Indian line-up.
IAP
Guest
This will definitely help Australia. Contrary to other people's opinions on here, I think we'll handle a fast bowler much better than a spinner. Especially if he hasn't played much cricket in Australia recently. Australia will win this test easily; the conditions are made for us.
Blod Smoothie
Guest
Yes but by the same token, if you asked the Australians, I'm sure they'd say they'd prefer to face an all pace attack in Perth, where there's better value for shots. You could argue our batting line up is inexperienced - you could also argue they have a lot more experience facing quicks in their own backyard.
AJ
Roar Rookie
This doesn't hurt India too much. Rohit Sharma has been ordinary at test level, despite being one pf the best One Day players in the world. If they still want a spinner, Jadeja is as good a backup as you will find. Otherwise, they could go for Bhuvneshwar. Vihari may be able to bowl spin when required on a pitch more designed for fast bowlers.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
Not sure why that is coming up with question marks. Was giving you the thumbs up James.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
????????
Nudge
Roar Rookie
????????
jameswm
Roar Guru
It's Nevill with two lls by the way Johnny boy. Thanks for playing...
jameswm
Roar Guru
I assume you mean grammar check because the spelling's correct, and you should have phrased it "their" side. Glad to help John.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
Onya Johnny
The Bush
Roar Guru
Doubt this one is going deep into day four, let alone, day five, so agree they’ll likely be fine.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Pant's behaviour? We replaced Nevil with Wade because he was a more prolific "chirper", Aren't visiting keepers allowed to do the same?
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Spellcheck "their side". Glad to help.
big bill bumble
Guest
Expecting the indian cricket board to claim the aussie soil assulted its players Pant's behviouir in the first test was just sub par
Scott Pryde
Expert
I tend to think this isn't the worst thing that could have happened for India. They now get to play four quicks, because Vuhrai will bat at six and he can bowl some offies. May actually improve team balance and suit the attack more to the pitch which has been presented in Perth.
Founder of cricket
Guest
Ya, agree with you..but this is blessing in disguise for India
Nudge
Roar Rookie
If anything this only improves there side. Aussies would have had a good chat about Ashwin after the first innings in Adelaide and played him really well in second innings. They replace him with another quick which will suit the wicket. Sharma gets replaced by a guy that averages nearly 60 in first class cricket who bowls some decent off spin which will cover some overs of Ashwin. If Yadav comes in though it’s a pretty long tail.
Tezza
Guest
Probably saw what the Perth pitch looks like and the thought of facing the Aussie pace attack and decided this was a good time to be injured, LOL.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
1-1 going into Melbourne
Paul
Roar Guru
They still have a very good side though.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Well that sucks