India have suffered another injury blow with the news that Jasprit Bumrah will miss the fourth Test against Australia.
The injury troubles continue to mount for the visitors following news that Ravindra Jadeja will also have to sit out the crucial clash at the Gabba.
Bumrah has an abdominal strain and reports suggest India don’t want to risk him. He picked up the issue in the second innings in Sydney and is now struggling to be fit for the trip to Brisbane this week.
The bowler is the latest to be hit by injury in the India camp and the third pacer to be hurt this series after Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami.
Jadeja is definitely missing after suffering a dislocated thumb. The all-rounder was struck by a Mitchell Starc delivery in Sydney and has now returned to India.
It is a long list of problems for Jadeja this tour. The 32-year-old had already suffered from a concussion and a hamstring issue during the 1st T20I in Canberra right at the start of the trip.
They may have to turn to pace reserves of Shardul Thakur or T Natarajan for the battle in Brisbane.
India have already lost KL Rahul for the series decider after the wicketkeeper-batsman was hit in the nets and returned home for treatment.
Concern for Ashwin, Vihari and Agarwal
Finally, there is also some concerns over both Hanuma Vihari and Ravi Ashwin who have hamstring and back problems respectively. Both will have to be assessed ahead of the fourth Test.
Mayank Agarwal was hit in the nets in Melbourne but should recover in time to feature again.
In all, it means a severely depleted India will be seen in Brisbane as they look to secure successive series wins Down Under.
The contest is poised at 1-1 with one Test to play in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India, who are already without star skipper Virat Kohli due to paternity leave, would retain the trophy with a draw.
