New Delhi: The Indian group management is most likely to choose Shardul Thakur more than left-arm pace sensation Thangarasu Natarajan in the third Test against Australia in location of injured Umesh Yadav.
According to sources, senior pacer Yadav, who had earlier missed the third Test due to a calf muscle tear, is heading property for rehabilitation just after becoming ruled out of the fourth and final Test in Brisbane as effectively.
The third Test starts in Sydney from January 7.
“While people are excited about the brilliant progress shown by T Natarajan, we mustn’t forget he has played only one first class match for Tamil Nadu. And Shardul has been a seasoned domestic red ball pacer for Mumbai,” a BCCI supply privy to developments in Australia told PTI on Thursday.
“Shardul was really unfortunate that his Test debut against West Indies ended abruptly due to injury even before he could bowl an over. He has been shaping up well and might replace Umesh in the playing XI,” the supply added.
The final get in touch with will be taken by the head coach Ravi Shastri, stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane and bowling coach Bharath Arun just after reaching Sydney.
Shardul has so far played 62 initial class games and has 206 wickets to show for his efforts.
Another aspect that India would like to address ahead of the Third Test is a extended tail that has impacted the group.
Shardul has six initial class half centuries and through his stint with the national group in white ball games, he has proved to be a decent batsman.
“Obviously the next few training sessions will be important and that’s why the final call is likely to be taken in Sydney,” the supply stated.
As far as Yadav is concerned, he is anticipated to head off to National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for comprehensive rehab programme.
The 33-year-old had hobbled off the field just after suffering the injury through the third day of the Boxing Day Test.