Reportedly, star Indian seamer Mohammed Shami will be named in the playing XI for the March 9 final Test of the four-match series against Australia. Umesh Yadav took over as the fast bowler for the third Test in Indore due to workload management.
The team management, in collaboration with the medical staff, has agreed to offer sufficient rest to the bowlers who are in the plans for the ODI World Cup and will also play regularly in the IPL.
Mohammed Shami , who is also in the squad for the One-Day International series against Australia, was therefore rested for the third Test. Yadav, who replaced Shami in the third Test, bowled remarkably well in the first innings, capturing three wickets in five overs.
In contrast, Mohammed Siraj, who has only bowled 24 overs in the series thus far, is likely to be rested for the next fourth Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Siraj will likely play in all three One-Day Internationals against Australia beginning on March 17, therefore he will be rested prior to the series.
Thus far in the series, Mohammed Shami has been the most successful seamer, taking seven wickets in two matches at an average of 14.42.
India will need him on the dry pitch in Ahmedabad, which could aid reverse swing. Currently leading the series 2-1, they must win the final Test to secure a berth in the June 7 final of the World Test Championship, which will be played at The Oval in London.
Curators are creating a standard cricket pitch for the fourth Test.
ICC Match referee Chris Broad classified the pitch for the third Test at the Holkar Stadium, Indore as “bad,” whereas the surface at the VCA Stadium in Jamtha, which hosted the first Test, was rated as “average.” For the fourth Test, the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) would endeavor to construct a pitch with a better balance between bat and ball.
The Hindu quoted a member of the state association as saying, “We have not got any instructions from the Indian team administration, and our local curators are constructing a normal track as they have done during the season.”
“In fact, in the last Ranji game played here in January, Railways scored over 500 runs (508) batting first, while Gujarat, despite losing by an innings, scored over 200 runs in both innings. This time won’t be too different, “he added.
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