Australia vs India 2018/19: Ravichandran Ashwin Out Of Sydney Test

Jan 2, 2019 at 8:45 AM

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Australia vs India 2018/19: Ravichandran Ashwin Out Of Sydney Test

India will be eyeing a historic Test series win in Australia when they take on the hosts in the fourth and final Test starting January 3 in Sydney. India have never won a Test series Down Under and have a golden opportunity to break that duck. Virat Kohli & Co. had thrashed Australia by 137 runs to take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series and retain the Border-Gavaskar series.

With the momentum on their side, India will be looking to make the most of it. The visitors just need a draw to win the series. However, absence of two key players could hurt their chances in the crucial game. India have already lost the services of Rohit Sharma for the Sydney Test. The right-handed batsman, who scored an unbeaten 63 in the first innings of the previous Test, has flown back to Mumbai after his wife gave birth to a daughter.

And now the team has also lost the services of Ravichandran Ashwin. The off-spinner had missed the second and Third Test after suffering an abdominal strain on the fourth day of the opening Adelaide Test. Speculations were rife that he might play the fourth Test after he trained on Tuesday. However, he has not recovered in time and will miss his third Test in a row.

India captain Virat Kohli confirmed the news while expressing his disappointment.

“It’s unfortunate that he’s had two niggles that are quite similar in the last two away tours,” said Kohli.

“He’s very important for sure. In Test cricket he’s a vital part of this team and we wanted him to be 100 percent fit for a longer period to that he can come back to us in the Test format. He is very disappointed that he’s not able to recover in time,” he added.

Kohli and Ashwin (Credits: Getty)

With Ashwin out, Ravindra Jadeja is likely to play as the lone spinner in the team. Kohli hinted that India might rely on Hanuma Vihari to send down some spin bowling.

“The Ashwin factor, it does make you alter your plans a little bit. But Vihari was bowling beautiful whenever he got the ball,” Kohli said.

“Vihari has looked like picking up a wicket every time he comes on to bowl. We are looking at him as a solid bowling option now, especially in this Test match,” he added.

 

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