Internet Desk: The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) senior selection committee have retained 15 members for the last two Test matches against Australia. They have released Hardik Pandya from the national side to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Speedstar Mohammed Shami, who has been out of action in the white jersey since the third Test against England in November because of a knee injury, remained sidelined for the last two Tests too.
Shami is still in NCA for rehab and recovering from a knee injury he sustained against England. He played the last match for Bengal in Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Elsewhere, there wasn’t any change in the side with Ajinkya Rahane and Jayant Yadav holding on to their places.
Opener Murali Vijay, who has suffered a shoulder injury missing the second Test match has been kept in the squad of 15 and is expected to get fit before the start of the third Test in Ranchi from March 16.
First choice opener Vijay is expected to replace Abhinav Mukund, who failed in both the innings.. The pace trio of Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav also picked itself after India’s win at Bengaluru.
Wriddhiman Saha continued to be the team’s first-choice wicketkeeper after some remarkable keeping display in the second Test. Opener Abhinav Mukund has also been retained in the side even though he did not perform well in the second Test against Australia.
The squad for last two Tests against Australia:
Squad: Virat Kohli (capt), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Abhinav Mukund, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Karun Nair, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma.