Team India has been struck with not one but two massive blows ahead of the Perth Test. Ravichandran Ashwin and Rohit Sharma have been ruled out due to injuries. Ashwin is struggling with an abdominal strain on his left side. On the other hand, Rohit encountered an injury to his back in an attempt to field the ball on the 5th day of the Adelaide Test.
Prithvi Shaw, who had injured his ankle in the practice match against Cricket Australia XI, hasn’t recovered fully. As a result, he won’t be available for the Perth Test. So, Murali Vijay and KL Rahul will get another chance to redeem themselves.
Ashwin had put in an impressive show in the first Test. He kept toiling from one end and kept a check on the scoring. He took 6 wickets in the match and bowled 86.5 overs, which is the most by him in a Test. Rohit was picked ahead of Hanuma Vihari in the line-up. But he failed to contribute a big score in both innings.
India has named the 13-man squad for the 2nd Test. The pitch in the Perth Test is expected to be lively. While Vihari seems a certainty in the line-up to replace Rohit, the choice of bowling line-up would determine the replacement for Ashwin. If the visitors opt to go in with 4 pacers, then either of Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Umesh Yadav will find a place. Ravindra Jadeja comes into contention if team India elects to pick a spinner for control from one end.
India’s 13-man squad for the Perth Test
Virat Kohli (c), M Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav
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