Team India’s injury concern continues as another fast bowler Navdeep Saini was seen walking off the field with a hamstring injury in the fourth and final Test against Australia at the Gabba. Incidentally, he is the sixth Indian pacer to sustain an injury to miss action against Australia.
Meanwhile, India had to hand the debut cap to T Natarajan after ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah failed to recover on time to be available for the final match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Mohammed Siraj was the most experienced fast bowler in the line-up with two Tests under his belt.
The visitors started on a good note reducing Australia to 17 for two removing both their openers cheaply. Siraj got David Warner in the first over while Shardul Thakur removed Marcus Harris, who is making a comeback, from the first delivery of his spell.
Navdeep Saini suffers hamstring injury
The Aussie went to lunch with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in the middle but India struck soon after the break. Debutant Washington Sundar removed Smith before Ajinkya Rahane called in Navdeep Saini for a second burst in search of more wickets.
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The young pacer soon created an opportunity but skipper Rahane dropped a sitter at gully to give respite to Marnus Labuschagne. Soon after the delivery, Navdeep Saini complained of a hamstring strain and the physios came running to have a check on him.
After a close look, the fast bowler from Karnal had to walk back to the dressing room with Prithvi Shaw replacing Navdeep Saini in the ground. He hasn’t come back to the ground ever since and BCCI issued a statement saying he is currently being monitored by their medical team.
“Navdeep Saini has complained of pain in his groin. He is currently being monitored by the BCCI medical team,” BCCI wrote on Twitter.
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Navdeep Saini has complained of pain in his groin. He is currently being monitored by the BCCI medical team.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/NXinlnZ9W5
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 15, 2021
BCCI further added that the fast bowler has now been taken for scans and things certainly don’t look good from India’s perspective.
UPDATE – Navdeep Saini has now gone for scans.#AUSvIND https://t.co/pN01PVnFfx
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 15, 2021
Meanwhile, it will be a massive blow for Team India if he can’t resume action in the ongoing Test. Ajinkya Rahane & Co will badly want Navdeep Saini to return to the field soon and start bowling. Australia are currently at 178 for three with Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Wade looking strong and in complete control of things.
