Xtra Time Web Desk: It will be a toss between Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur for the fifth bowler’s slot in the test squad for the tour of Australia later this year. With injuries to experienced Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, either of them can get the nod for the longer format as the new selection committee under Sunil Joshi picks the squad for the test series later this week. It is learnt the selectors will pick a jumbo squad for all the three formats.
Gujarat and Delhi Capitals’ left arm spinner Axar Patel is also likely to be in contention for a place in India’s consolidated squad.
Although Cricket Australia is yet to release the itinerary but it is almost certain that the two white ball series (T20Is and ODIs) will be scheduled before the marquee four-Test rubber.
With two senior pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar (thigh injury) and Ishant Sharma (side strain) all but ruled out, the four frontline pacers for the test squad will be Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Navdeep Saini
The fifth pacer’s slot in Test matches may go to Siraj, who has done well in longer version for India A and his Ranji Trophy side. Shardul Thakur too is in the reckoning as he can swing the new ball, will also jostle for that place.
“Siraj has really done well for India A over the past few seasons. I think he is a better red ball bowler and could be very handy in Australian conditions,” former chairman of selectors MSK Prasad told PTI on Tuesday.
According to Prasad, the new selection committee could look at Shivam Mavi who he thinks has it in him to become an all-format bowler in near future.
“Mavi could be given exposure as an extra pacer at least in white ball and may be groomed later for red ball,” Prasad opined.
Shardul and his CSK teammate Deepak Chahar will certainly be a part of the white ball format side where Umesh Yadav is unlikely to find a place.