AUS v IND 2020-21: “Medical team working on Jasprit Bumrah, he’ll play if he can,” India batting coach Vikram Rathour

India has not named its playing XI for Brisbane Test match.

As both Australia and India prepare for the final battle in the fourth Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba, Brisbane; the visitors are fretting over the fitness of many of their star players.

While Australia named their playing XI for the fourth Test match, India has decided to wait till the last possible minute to name their XI, due to fitness issues.

India batting coach Vikram Rathour in conversation with the press shed light on the availability of players, importantly fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who suffered an abdominal strain during the third Test in Sydney and was said to be out of contention for the Brisbane Test.  

However, Rathour gave a ray of hope, saying that the medical team is trying their best to get Bumrah on the field.

"The medical team is working with Bumrah, we have to see tomorrow morning whether he is fit to play the fourth Test or not. If he can play, he will play, if he cannot, then he won't. The injuries are still being monitored.

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Our medical staff is looking into it, I would not be in a position to comment on this right now. We would like to give them as much time as possible. It will be tomorrow morning that you will know which eleven takes the field," Rathour said on the eve of the final Test.

Talking about India’s injury woes, Rathour further added, “Basically, I think the toughness comes from the preparation, we believe in our players, every member of our team believes in their ability. One innings cannot let the doubts creep in, the team has shown a lot of character and the reason for that is the hard work they have been putting in for a long time.”

Rathour also talked about the team management trying to put out the best playing XI possible for the fourth Test match.

"As far as I am concerned, we have the ability, with or without injuries, the eleven that will play would be the best eleven that India could put on the ground, all of them deserve to be there, if they play to their potential, I cannot see any reason, why we cannot do well," he added.

The Indian team missed the services of Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the whole series due to injuries, along with Rohit Sharma for the first two Tests. Mohammad Shami suffered a broken hand in the first Test, while Umesh Yadav suffered a calf strain in the second Test.

Apart from this Hanuma Vihari, who battled brilliantly to save the Test for India, batted with a grade 2 hamstring tear and has been ruled out of the 4^th Test. Apart from this, even Ashwin has back issues which he suffered during the third Test.

(ANI inputs)