T Natarajan, left-arm pacer replaced injured Umesh Yadav in India Test squad and is gearing up for the upcoming 3rd Test against Australia in Sydney.
He underwent through a training session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, under the watchful eyes of fielding coach R Sridhar. All experts praise his meteoric rise, and it is to be seen whether he debuts ahead of Shardul Thakur and Navdeep Saini.
T Natarajan Grabbing His Chances Well: BCCI
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted a video on social media Twitter where T Natarajan could be seen taking a spectacular running catch while the other teammates could be heard appreciating his efforts.
“@Natarajan_91 has been grabbing his chances very well on this tour,” wrote BCCI.
@Natarajan_91 has been grabbing his chances very well on this tour. ?? #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/sThqgZZq1k
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2021
The BCCI, on Friday, confirmed T Natarajan’s inclusion in India’s Test squad for the remaining two matches against Australia. T Natarajan was the leading wicket-taker in T20I series with 6 wickets. He went to Australia as a net bowler but was included in T20I squad after Varun Chakravarthy was ruled out. He then was drafted into ODI squad after Navdeep Saini complained of back spasms.
According to the statement issued by the board, Umesh Yadav sustained a strain in his left calf muscle during the Boxing Day Test and underwent scans later in the day. He bowled 3.3 overs in 2nd innings of 2nd Test before sustaining an injury. The fast bowler will not recover completely ahead of the remaining two Test matches and has been subsequently ruled out of the series.
Rohit Sharma Among 5 Indian Players To Be Put In Isolation
In another statement issued on Sunday, the BCCI informed that India’s practice session on Sunday at the MCG has been cancelled due to rain and the cricketers were forced to train indoors. According to a PTI report, the players had a gym session in the absence of outdoor activities. India and Australian team members are scheduled to leave for Sydney on Monday.
On Saturday, Cricket Australia stated that five India Test players, including vice-captain Rohit Sharma, have been placed in isolation and an investigation launched into a possible breach of COVID-19 bio-security protocol.
The development came after a fan put out a video of the players sitting inside an indoor restaurant on social media Twitter on Friday. The BCCI administration had initially ruled out any investigation after reports of a possible breach. However, Cricket Australia later said a joint probe is on.