AUS v IND 2020-21: T Natarajan likely to be added in India’s Test squad as Umesh Yadav’s cover, says report

Umesh is set to miss the third Test due to a calf muscle injury.

T Natarajan | Getty

India pacer Umesh Yadav, who hobbled off the field on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test against Australia with tearing pain in his calf muscle, will miss the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

According to a report published in ANI, Umesh will be looking to get back for the last Test after regaining 100 percent fitness.

"His scans have come in and he will miss the third Test as well. He will now look at making a return for the last game of the series as we have more than two weeks to go before we play the final game from January 15," sources in the know of developments told ANI.

According to the source, T Natarajan, who hogged the limelight with his exploits in the white-ball series against Australia, could be added to the Test squad as Yadav’s cover.

"With limited options available, the team management can ask for Natarajan to be added to the squad," the source said.

Umesh Yadav underwent scans after he complained of pain in his calf muscle while bowling on Day 3 at MCG. The speedster ambled through his run-up while delivering the third ball of his fourth over. He looked in pain thereafter and immediately called for the physio before walking away with him, as fellow paceman Mohammed Siraj completed the over.

"Umesh Yadav complained of pain in his calf while bowling his 4th over and was assessed by the BCCI medical team. He is being taken for scans now," the BCCI had said in a tweet.

While Umesh bowled only 3.3 overs in Australia's second innings, he removed Joe Burns to give the tourists a perfect start.

On Day 4, India completed a thumping 8-wicket win over Australia to level the four-Test series 1-1, with two games still to be played.

The third Test is scheduled to be played from January 7 to 11.

(With ANI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 29 Dec, 2020

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