Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21: T Natarajan comes in as replacement for Umesh Yadav

First Published Jan 1, 2021, 3:26 PM IST

India is currently tied 1-1 in the four-Test series against Australia, as it defends the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Pacer Umesh Yadav suffered a calf injury and has been ruled out for the remaining two Tests. Meanwhile, T Natarajan has earned his maiden Test call-up and is in line for a debut.

<p>Team India is reeling from a series of injuries, as pacer Umesh Yadav has been ruled out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy's remainder after suffering a calf injury. Meanwhile, rookie pacer T Natarajan has been roped in as his replacement.</p>

Team India is reeling from a series of injuries, as pacer Umesh Yadav has been ruled out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy's remainder after suffering a calf injury. Meanwhile, rookie pacer T Natarajan has been roped in as his replacement.

<p>During the third ball of his fourth over in the Boxing Day Test, in Melbourne, he limped over, in the first innings. He was immediately in discomfort, as the physio was called in, while he left the field shortly afterwards. He underwent scans later and the results were not as promising, as he was eventually ruled out on Thursday.</p>

During the third ball of his fourth over in the Boxing Day Test, in Melbourne, he limped over, in the first innings. He was immediately in discomfort, as the physio was called in, while he left the field shortly afterwards. He underwent scans later and the results were not as promising, as he was eventually ruled out on Thursday.

<p>The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that Natarajan has been included in the 18-member squad. Also, pacer Shardul Thakur comes in as the replacement for the injured seamer, Mohammed Shami.</p>

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that Natarajan has been included in the 18-member squad. Also, pacer Shardul Thakur comes in as the replacement for the injured seamer, Mohammed Shami.

$<p>Shami had suffered wrist fracture while batting during the opening day-night Test in Adelaide, which India had lost. The BCCI also states that the two injured pacers would now head to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to rehabilitate.</p>$

Shami had suffered wrist fracture while batting during the opening day-night Test in Adelaide, which India had lost. The BCCI also states that the two injured pacers would now head to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to rehabilitate.

<p>As for the replacements, Thakur has already played a Test but hasn't had any success with wickets. Meanwhile, Natarajan has played 22 First-Class matches and has claimed 64 wickets at an average of 27.03, including three four-for and fives-for, each.</p>

As for the replacements, Thakur has already played a Test but hasn't had any success with wickets. Meanwhile, Natarajan has played 22 First-Class matches and has claimed 64 wickets at an average of 27.03, including three four-for and fives-for, each.

<p><strong>Team India updated Test squad:</strong> Ajinkya Rahane (c), Rohit Sharma (vc), Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur and T Natarajan.</p>

Team India updated Test squad: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Rohit Sharma (vc), Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur and T Natarajan.