Seamer Thangarasu Natarajan has been added to India's squad for the ongoing ODI series against Australia.
He has effectively been included as cover for fast bowler Navdeep Saini, who is nursing a back injury.
Natarajan played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2020 Indian Premier League.
Last month, he was named in the squad for the T20I leg of the Australian tour in the absence of the injured Varun Chakravarthy.
The All-India Senior Selection Committee has added Natarajan to India's squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia,” read a statement from Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Jay Shah.
“Saini complained of back spasm and Natarajan has been added as a back-up.”
Ishant Out of Entire Test Series
Fast bowler Ishant Sharma, meanwhile, has been ruled out of the Test series against the Australians. He had initially been sidelined from just the series opener. But the BCCI have since confirmed Sharma will miss all four matches.
“Ishant has recovered completely from his side strain injury sustained during IPL 2020 in the United Arab Emirates. While he's building up his workload in order to achieve Test match fitness, Sharma has been ruled out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy,” added Shah.
Rohit Still in the Running
Opening batsman Rohit Sharma, who won't be available for selection for the series opener, is still in contention for the following three Tests.
“Rohit is presently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy. Sharma's next assessment will be conducted on 11 December, following which the BCCI will have clarity on his participation in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
“Sharma had to come back to Mumbai after the IPL to attend his ailing father. His father is now recuperating well and that has allowed him to travel to the NCA and start his rehabilitation.”
Australia and India will play three ODIs and as many T20Is from 27 November to 8 December 2020. They will then contest Tests in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
India captain Virat Kohli will leave the tour after the first Test. He is returning home to be with his wife. They are expecting the birth of a child. The BCCI haven't yet stated who will captain the XI in his absence.
