Navdeep Saini clutched his inner thigh right after bowling a delivery.
Just when the Indian fans thought it couldn't get worse than the long list of injured players on this tour, there has been an addition. Pacer Navdeep Saini has joined the casualty ward on Day 1 of the final Test in Brisbane after walking off the field mid-over.
In the 36th over of Australia's first innings in the second session, Saini bowled a delivery to Marnus Labuschagne, who edged it to the Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane at gully. Rahane, unlike himself, dropped a simple chance.
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To add to the woes, Saini completed his followthrough and instantly clutched onto his inner thigh. He stood there, tried to relieve the pain with a quick massage but had to go down on the floor in pain.
Indian physio Nitin Patel was onto the field for the umpteenth time this series to inspect the pacer. He had a chat with Saini, tried to relieve the pain as well, but nothing worked. He was then seen going off the field. Fortunately for the Indians, he looked comfortable walking off but running might be a problem for him.
The 28-year-old had bowled 7.5 overs until then in the innings and had conceded 21 runs off them.
Here's an official update on Navdeep Saini:
Navdeep Saini has complained of pain in his groin. He is currently being monitored by the BCCI medical team.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/NXinlnZ9W5
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 15, 2021
Team India are now left with three pacers - Mohammed Siraj (playing his 3rd Test), Shardul Thakur (2nd Test) and T Natarajan (Debut) in this game if Saini doesn't return to bowl.