Ind vs Aus Brisbane Test: Jadeja, Vihari ruled out, Team India in fix on ‘fit’ playing XI for the series decider

January 12, 2021

Ind vs Aus: Team India’s injury woes continue, can they field ‘fit’ playing XI in Brisbane Test? : Team India’s unending injury issues in their tour of Australia continues to worsen as first all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was ruled out of the Test series against Australia after suffering dislocated thumb and now Hanuma Vihari is also ruled out of the last test match. Vihari was ruled out of the fourth and final match with a hamstring tear that could keep him out of action for a considerable time.

“Jadeja will now consult a hand specialist in Sydney before he returns to India. He will then head to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for further management of his injury. Jadeja will not be available for the fourth and final Test against Australia to be held in Brisbane from January 15-19 at the Gabba” confirmed BCCI Sec Jay Shah.

Status of Hanuma Vihari: Vihari pulled his hamstring during the final day of the Sydney Test but he continued to bat in pain while avoiding running between the wickets. The extent of his injury is yet to be known and he can be doubtful for the final Test in Brisbane.

Rishabh Pant also sustained injury: Meanwhile, India’s wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant also sustained an elbow injury after being hit by a Pat Cummins delivery during India’s first innings. But the southpaw’s injury is not serious and he even smashed 97 on the final day of the third Test to help India draw the match.

India tour of Australia: Here’s Team India’s injury list so far

The ever growing injury list to team India –

– India had lost Ishant Sharma (before series started),

– Mohammed Shami (forearm injury),

– Umesh Yadav (calf muscle injury)

– KL Rahul (wrist injury) to various injuries.

Also, India’s no.4 batsman Shreyas Iyer suffered a shoulder injury during the ODI series against Australia. However, it didn’t seem severe at the time, as he carried on playing, but Iyer is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore and will miss the league stage of Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy for Mumbai.

Moreover, Jadeja also suffered a hamstring injury during the T20I series owing to which he missed the first Test in Adelaide.

Ind vs Aus 4th Test: Can India field ‘fit’ playing XI in the Brisbane Test ?

With Vihari and Jadeja adding to the injury woes, India can find themselves in big trouble and might fail to find 100% fit players for the fourth Test, which is scheduled to begin from 15th January.

The situation means – India is likely to include opening batsman Mayank Agarwal in the middle order in place of Hanuma Vihari. Other than this, team India may bring in Shardul Thakur in place of Ravindra Jadeja.

Likely Playing XI – Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Mayank Agarwal, R.Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini, Mohd Siraj