The Indian medical team is currently working hard to ensure fast bowler Navdeep Saini can take the field in Australia’s second innings of the ongoing fourth Test in Brisbane. Saini had hobbled off the ground after suffering a groin injury on the opening day of the final Test. Saini was later taken for scans and did not return to bowl again during Australia’s first innings.
The Indian team is already without a number of key players including the likes of R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja in the final Test at the Gabba. Saini’s injury came as a fresh blow to Team India’s chances and the medical staff is looking to ensure that the fast bowler can take the field during Australia’s second innings.
“The medical team is working on Saini. He has a groin injury, but they are trying their best to ensure that he can take the field in the second innings,” a source told news agency ANI.
In the absence of Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ashwin, India have played four pacers and gone with only one spinner in the Test match. While T Natarajan was handed his debut in the pace department, Washington Sundar earned his maiden Test cap to replace Ashwin in the line-up.
India got off to a good start with the ball after reducing Australia to 2/17 in their first innings but a terrific century from Marnus Labuschagne (108) and crucial contributions from Matthew Wade (45), Cameron Green (47), and captain Tim Paine (50) helped Australia post 369 runs on the board in their first innings on Day 2 on Saturday (January 16).
