Australia captain Pat Cummins has flown back to Australia due to personal commitments. However, he is expected to be back in India in time and take part in the third Test slated to be played from 1 Mach. But if in case the Aussie captain fails to return, Steve Smith is likely to lead Australia in the third Test. Meanwhile, pacer Josh Hazlewood who missed the first two Tests has been ruled out of the series.
Australia coach Andrew McDonald has revealed Hazlewood is heading home to continue his rehabilitation from an Achilles complaint that has sidelined him from the first two Tests. Notably, Hazlewood has been ramping up his bowling at training in recent weeks but hasn’t been able to shake the injury and will instead continue his recovery at home in Sydney.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Cummins has flown back home due to a serious family illness. The Aussies captain left India’s shores on Sunday after the third Test ended in Delhi. However, Cummins is expected to return in time.
However, Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc are expected to be fit. But there remains a doubt about the participation of David Warner, who suffered a concussion as well as a hairline fracture in his left elbow.
Young off-spinner Todd Murphy too battled side soreness during the second innings in Delhi but is likely to have enough of a gap between Tests to shrug it off. Mitchell Swepson, the legspinner, is also expected to rejoin the squad after travelling home for the birth of his child.
Notably, India retained the Border Gavaskar Trophy for the fourth time in a row as the Rohit Sharma-led beat India by six wickets in the second Test in Delhi. India bowled out Australia for 113 in their second innings and then chased it with ease. Ravindra Jadeja (3/68 and 7/42) was named the Player of the Match.