Australia’s chances bolstered as India lose injured stars Bumrah, Pant for Tests

Australia are set for a possible date with the white-ball sensation Suryakumar Yadav in the Test arena after he was selected in India’s 17-man squad for the first two games of the eagerly awaited four-match series next month.

Another limited-overs gun Ishan Kishan has also been brought into the squad but there’s no place for injured pace bowling ace Jasprit Bumrah, who may also not be fit to play in the final two matches of the series either.

Also missing from the Indian squad is star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who has taken his first steps out of bed after suffering multiple injuries in a serious car crash on December 30.

Pant underwent surgery on January 6 to repair a torn knee ligament and suffered further injuries to his head, back and leg, and is expected to remain in hospital for another week. Pant reportedly suffered back lacerations when he was forced to smash the windscreen and climb out after his car caught fire following the crash.

The Border-Gavaskar series, which starts on February 9, will also see the return of India’s valuable spinning all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, as long as he’s passed fit again after his own injury woes.

Rohit Sharma will lead a powerful side, with Virat Kohli also a spearhead, though the Indian board has named the squad only for the first half of the series and selectors will doubtless re-evaluate after the opening two matches in Nagpur and Delhi.

The absence of Bumrah is a major blow for the hosts. He had hoped to be back in business after a back problem but has been advised to undergo another month’s rehabilitation before any decision is made over whether to unleash him in the final two Tests in Dharamsala and Ahmedabad in March.

Jadeja hasn’t played any cricket since last August after undergoing knee surgery but looks set, as ever, to be one of the keys to India’s success.