Team India has been plagued by injury concerns ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener in Perth which is scheduled to start from November 22.
Ravindra Jadeja gives India another injury scare ahead of Perth Test against Australia
The latest setback involves star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who reportedly suffered a blow to the midriff while batting in the nets. The incident occurred when a delivery reared sharply, causing Jadeja significant discomfort. He was seen in visible pain and had to leave the field.
After receiving medical attention, Ravindra Jadeja recovered and returned to the nets. He resumed batting with composure and impressed the coaching staff with his form. This news will be a relief for the Indian team, as Jadeja is a crucial player in their plans for the series.
Jadeja was one of the last Indian players to leave the nets. He engaged in a lengthy discussion with coach Gautam Gambhir before concluding his net session ahead of the first Test.
Ravindra Jadeja could potentially be included in the playing XI for the first Test against Australia in Perth. While initial reports suggested that Ravichandran Ashwin would be the sole spinner, with Nitish Kumar Reddy making his debut, recent developments indicate that Jadeja might be a late addition to the team's final XI. According to Fox Cricket, the team's final training session on Thursday hinted at a potential change in the playing XI, with Jadeja possibly being considered for selection.
Another sect of media reports claimed that Nitish Kumar Reddy is set to make his Test debut, potentially limiting Ravindra Jadeja's chances of playing. Gautam Gambhir has expressed confidence in Ravichandran Ashwin's ability to replicate Nathan Lyon's success in Australian conditions.
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With Rohit Sharma unavailable, the Indian opening pair is expected to be KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Shubman Gill's absence due to a finger injury opens the door for Devdutt Padikkal, who will likely bat at number three. The middle order is expected to feature Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Dhruv Jurel, who seems to have an edge over Sarfaraz Khan.
Meanwhile, only two amongst Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja are expected to provide all-round support to the team. Harshit Rana is also likely to make his Test debut, joining stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the pace bowling department.
