Team India has had mixed luck in the ongoing four-Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, in Australia. With the series locked at 1-1, it plays the deciding Test at The Gabba, in Brisbane, from Friday.
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However, Team India has been rocked with a series of injuries. As a result, the team management is yet to decide on the playing XI.
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Earlier, India had announced its confirmed XI a day before, for the opening three Tests. Meanwhile, India's batting coach, Vikram Rathour has said that the situation is to be monitored until the Friday morning and based on the new injury reports, the playing XI would be decided upon.
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"The injuries are still being monitored. Our medical staff is looking into them, they are working with the players. I won't be in a position to comment exactly how it stands at the moment, we would like to give them as much time as we can. It is only in the morning that you will know which XI will take field," said Rathour during the pre-match press conference, on Thursday.
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India has nine injury concerns: Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, Hanuma Vihari, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mayank Agarwal and Jasprit Bumrah. The likes of Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Wriddhiman Saha, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur and T Natarajan could feature in from the reserves. A couple of net bowlers, Washington Sundar and Kartik Tyagi could also be in the contention.
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"I don't believe in momentum. After 36 all out, to come back to win the Melbourne Test, that tells you all about momentum. With or without injuries, the XI that we put on the field will be the best XI. All of them deserve to be there. They all deserve to have that opportunity to play Test cricket. And if they play to their potential, I don't see any reason why they won't do well. Whoever plays, all of us believe we can do well," added Rathour.
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There were reports that India is waiting to check the weather, as scattered rains are predicted on three days, while it is also eyeing resting a few players, considering the four-Test series against England at home from next month. Nonetheless, Rathour has brushed those rumours aside and is prioritising the task at hand.
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"You don't play cricket looking at the weather. As far as we are concerned, we are looking for a complete game. And we are going to give our best playing XI this game. We are going to put up our best available team on the park. If boys play to the potential, again we are looking to win this one," he concluded.
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