Umesh Yadav ruled out of last two Test matches against Australia; T Natarajan named replacement

Indian and RCB fast bowler Umesh Yadav has been ruled out of the last two Test matches of the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia. Left-arm pacer T Natarajan has been lined up as his replacement by the BCCI. 

Umesh Yadav limped off just 3.3 overs into his bowling spell during the second innings of Australia’s batting in the Second Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Since, the BCCI has confirmed that the pacer has picked up a calf injury. 

His replacement T Natarajan who was on tour only as a net bowler is now in contention to make his Test match debut when India and Australia lock horns in the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, starting the 7th of January. 

Team India has now lost 3 of its first-choice bowlers with Mohammad Shami, and Ishant Ishant Sharma now being joined by Umesh Yadav. While the unavailability of senior bowlers might be a  hindrance, Mohammed Siraj showed that in every adversity lies an opportunity, with match figures of 5/77 on his Test debut at the MCG. His fellow RCB fast bowler Navdeep Saini could also make his Test debut on the tour, with the toss-up for the third seamer’s position now likely being between him and the latest addition to the Indian Test squad, T Natarajan.

[Cricbuzz inputs]