MUMBAI: The unavailability of captain Rohit Sharma and No. three bat Shumban Gill (fracture within the finger) from the primary Take a look at in opposition to Australia pressured the BCCI on Sunday to ask top-order batsman Devdutt Padikkal, who was touring with the India A squad for 2 four-day matches, to remain again as a batting back-up.
Tempo spearhead and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will captain India in absence of Rohit, who knowledgeable the BCCI that he wanted extra time together with his spouse after the delivery of their second baby earlier this week.
Bumrah had beforehand captained India within the rescheduled 2022 Take a look at in opposition to England at Edgbaston, a match they misplaced by 7 wickets.
Paddikal might be added to the 18-member squad in Rohit’s place for the primary Take a look at match on the Opus Stadium in Perth. “He’s more likely to bat on the No three spot now,” a dependable supply instructed TOI.
The left-hander, who was lately named in Karnataka’s squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, made scores of 36, 88, 26, 1 for India ‘A’ in the course of the Australia tour.
Whereas these performances aren’t extraordinary, Padikkal’s expertise and familiarity with Australian circumstances make him the best selection as a batting backup. The left-hander had made his Take a look at debut in opposition to England earlier this yr at Dharamsala and made a 65 whereas batting at No. 4.
Going by sources, there is a good probability that Delhi and Kolkata Knight Riders pacers Harshit Rana, who’s but to get the India cap, could make his Take a look at debut within the first Take a look at at Perth.
“Harshit was very spectacular within the match simulation at Perth, particularly whereas bowling his bouncers. There is a good probability that he’ll make his India debut at Perth,” a supply instructed this paper. Rana has performed 10 first-class matches thus far, through which he has picked up 43 [email protected], with a greatest haul of seven for 45 in an innings. The 22-year-old was known as as a web bowler throughout India’s house Take a look at collection in opposition to New Zealand.
The teen impressed for the Kolkata Knight Riders within the IPL, taking 19 wickets in 13 [email protected], with a greatest haul of three for 24. When he was known as as much as bowl within the Crew India nets simply forward of the third Take a look at on the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Delhi head coach and former nationwide selector Sarandeep Singh had mentioned that Rana is prepared for Take a look at cricket.
“If India needs him to play, I might like to see it. If he finally ends up taking part in a Take a look at earlier than going to Australia, then it’s higher for Harshit and for India, too, that they get a very good quick bowler,” Sarandeep had mentioned.
