On Monday, the BCCI announced that Ishan Kishan would replace KL Rahul in India’s World Test Championship, WTC final squad against Australia.
Kishan, who has yet to play a Test for India, was previously included in India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad earlier this year but did not get a chance to play. With 48 First-Class games under his belt, Kishan has scored 2985 runs at an average of 38.76, taking 99 catches and 11 stumpings.
Kishan has scored 293 runs in 10 matches during the current IPL season, averaging 29.30 with two fifties.
Due to Rahul’s thigh injury, Kishan will be the second wicket-keeper behind KS Bharat. This move indicates that Rahul was initially expected to take on wicket-keeping duties at the Oval, but India is now seeking a backup keeper.
Jaydev Unadkat and Umesh Yadav’s injuries are concerning
India’s injury concerns seem to be far from over, as the BCCI has provided concerning updates on the status of two of their prominent pacers, Jaydev Unadkat and Umesh Yadav. Both players sustained injuries while participating in the ongoing IPL.
The left-arm seamer, Unadkat, who represents the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, suffered a left shoulder injury during his team’s game against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 6. Meanwhile, Umesh Yadav, who is playing for the KKR, reportedly picked up a hamstring injury during a practice session.
“Jaydev Unadkat sustained a left shoulder injury by tripping over the side rope while bowling in the nets. A specialist consultation has been sought and the left-arm fast bowler is currently at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru undergoing strength and rehab sessions for his shoulder. A decision on his participation in the WTC final will be taken at a later stage,” wrote the BCCI, explaining the LSG left-arm pacer’s injury.
“Umesh Yadav sustained a minor left hamstring injury during Match 36 of TATA IPL 2023 between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on 26 April. The fast bowler is currently under the care of the KKR Medical Team and has started low-intensity bowling as part of his rehab process. The BCCI Medical Team is in regular touch with KKR Medical Team and is closely monitoring Umesh’s progress,” BCCI stated on the veteran pacer’s case.
BCCI has also named three standby players
From June 7 at the Oval, India and Australia will face off in the marquee encounter. As India struggles with its injury crisis, BCCI has also selected three players as standbys.
The team will go to England with Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suryakumar Yadav, and Mukesh Kumar. Ruturaj, Mukesh, and Kishan have all yet to make their Test debuts, while Suryakumar has only participated in one Test for Team India.
India’s squad for WTC final: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Kishan (wk).
Standby players: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mukesh Kumar, Suryakumar Yadav.
Also Read: IPL 2023: 3 Players From Yesteryears Who Could Have Gotten A Lucrative Bid In The IPL
