The Indians began their preparation for the fourth and final Test against Australia at their fortress in Gabba, Brisbane. Australia is yet to lose a Test here since 1988 and is at its full strength. India, on the other hand, is struggling to find 100% fit players to form a XI for the series decider.
The likes of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, skipper Ajinkya Rahane and others were seen in their training kits. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who is in doubt for the Brisbane Test owing to an abdominal strain, was also seen in conversation with bowling coach B Arun.
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Part of the net session was Kuldeep Yadav, who could be picked in the XI in place of injured Ravindra Jadeja.
Apart from him, Shardul Thakur and all-rounder Washington Sundar, along with Natarajan were seen practicing. Shardul and Natarajan are in the race in the likelihood Bumrah is ruled out of the fourth Test.
"After an epic fightback in Sydney, it is time to regroup. We have begun our preparations for the final Test at the Gabba!" the BCCI posted on its Twitter handle.
Head coach Ravi Shastri, who was keeping a tab on the proceedings, addressed the team huddle. Shastri was also seen having a discussion with the rest of the support staff, which includes batting coach Vikram Rathour and fielding coach R Sridhar, apart from Arun.
India had lost Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar to injuries sustained during the IPL 2020 before the tour began. Rohit Sharma also missed the white-ball series and first two Tests due to injury.
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Mohammad Shami broke his arm in the first Test, while Umesh Yadav was ruled out due to strained calf muscle in the second Test. Ravindra Jadeja got his thumb broken in the third Test, while Hanuma Vihari batted with a grade 2 hamstring tear to save the match with Ashwin, who had a tweaked back. KL Rahul, who didn't play a single Test, was ruled out with a wrist sprain.
Even Rishabh Pant, who slammed 97 runs, igniting hopes of an Indian win at SCG, didn’t keep in the second innings, after being hit on his left elbow while batting in the first innings.
(PTI inputs)
