India tour of Australia 2020-21

10 Jan 2021

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is all set to be ruled out of the remainder of the Test series against Australia with a fractured thumb. However, Jadeja will bat on Day 5 of the ongoing Sydney Test, if required by the visitors, who are chasing 407.

Ravindra Jadeja will take injections and bat if India needs the all-rounder, who was performing well at the No. 7 spot for the visitors, India Today has learnt. However, Jadeja will miss the start of the England series as he will be sidelined for 4 to 6 weeks due to the thumb injury. India take on England in a 4-Test series in Chennai and Ahemdabad in February 2021. The first Test gets underway at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on February 5.

Ravindra Jadeja took a blow to his thumb while batting on Day 3 of the Sydney Test. Jadeja was hit on his gloves by a nasty Mitchell Starc bouncer. The all-rounder was spotted at the dressing room with tapings around his left palm on Sunday after scans revealed that he suffered a fracture.

In the 99th over of the Indian innings, a sharp bouncer from Mitchell Starc hit Jadeja flush on his gloves. Replays showed the ball crashed into the left thumb and the all-rounder was in great discomfort. He called for phyiso's attention and there was another stoppage in play following the blow to Pant.

Jadeja got his thumb taped and carried onto bat. He added crucial runs with No. 11 batsman Mohammed Siraj as India managed to bring Australia's lead to less than 100. However, Jadeja did not take the field during Australia's 2nd innings.

This is the second time Ravindra Jadeja has suffered injury concerns in the ongoing tour. The all-rounder was ruled out of the first Test after he picked up a hamstring injury and concussion during the T20I series opener in Canberra in December.

Jadeja had an immediate impact on his return to the Test team as he played an all-round role in India's 8-wicket win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Rishabh Pant available to bat on Day 5

Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant will definitely bat on Day 5 if India need him. Pant survived a major scare after he was hit on the elbow by a Pat Cummins bouncer on Saturday. Scans revealed there was no fracture but Pant was in pain. The left-hand batsman was spotted practicing at the nets during the fourth day's play at the SCG.

Wirddhiman Saha has been keeping wickets in the absence of Pant as the senior wicketkeeper was used as a replacement. However, according to the ICC rules, substitute wicketkeepers can't bat, bowl, or captain the team.

India finished Day 4 of the Sydney Test on 98 for 2, still needing 309 runs to win the 3rd Test. Australia have the upper hand as they removed openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma towards the end of the day's play after the duo stitched a 71-run opening stand. Rohit was dismissed by Cummins right after the India vice-captain got to his first fifty as an opener in overseas conditions.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane will resume India's innings on Monday as the visitors look to save the Test and prevent Australia from taking an unbeatable 2-1 lead.