INDIA vs ENGLAND: Umesh Yadav likely to be included for the pink ball Test match
Considering Umesh Yadav clearing the mandatory fitness test, a BCCI source told Cricbuzz that the pacer is likely to be a part of the playing 11. In an update proving the latest cricket news, the report cited an MCA source further added that Mumbai’s Shardul Thakur will travel from Ahmedabad to Jaipur by road. That is where his side will be part of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Mumbai will play arch rivals Maharashtra in the round two of the Vijay Hazare trophy at Jaipur’s KL Saini Ground on Tuesday. Thakur’s inclusion in the Mumbai team means that he will not be available for the pink ball Test cricket match. This actually opens a clear way for Umesh Yadav’s inclusion in the team, though the options and conditions are being assessed.
The series is tied at present and is at such a crossroads that one mistake can mess everything up. It will have long-term implications as well, which both camps are very much aware of.
The Story So Far And Why The Pacer Could Be Picked In The Squad For The Third Test Between India And England?
Shardul Thakur’s release on Sunday seems like a consequence of Yadav attaining complete fitness ahead of the Motera Test. A Team India source confirmed to Cricbuzz, saying, “He (Yadav) has cleared the fitness test as per new guidelines for the Indian players.”
Only weeks ago a new fitness test that involves a player to make a two kilometre run in eight minute and 30 seconds to be eligible to play for the country was added to the already prevalent Yo Yo test. Cricbuzz reported that the source did not confirm which of the two tests did Umesh clear.
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Talking about Shardul Thakur’s situation Sanjay Naik, the secretary of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) said,”We are helpless, we cannot do anything else in the current situation. It will be a dawn-to-dusk 700 km drive for Thakur.”
“He will take the car at 5 am (on February 22) and should reach by evening in Jaipur. If we had chosen to fly him down he would have had to take three-day quarantine in Jaipur. This way he will be ready to play on Tuesday itself if he feels ok,” the MCA official said.
What A Source Said About The Decision To Include Umesh Yadav In The Squad?
With Umesh in the lot, the Indian team is likely to drop the three spinner ploy. While Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin seem like a go-to pair, Umesh Yadav might come in for Kuldeep Yadav to support Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma. India had gone for three spinners in the first two tests taking into account what Chennai had to offer. However, pink ball and the twilight factor might make Yadav a favourable option.
“It is the dew factor that is a worry and we are thinking how to handle the situation. There is a lot of dew in the evenings and we want to make sure it does not become a major disadvantage.”
Likely Indian 11: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav/Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma.
What Next For This Series And The World Test Championship?
The Test series is tied at present at 1-1. Both teams managed to secure emphatic wins in either test and are now looking to take the advantage in this third game. It will be quite a crucial fixture considering the World Test Championship spot that is up for grabs.New Zealand is waiting for either India, Australia or England to compete with them for the title. It will be tough for the teams to perform considering the pressure that they are under. However, these stars are very much professional and know how to get the job done.
With that being said, Virat Kohli and co. will want to win the series at home. They have the momentum in their favour and will now want to play good cricket. They showed in the last game what they can do as a unit. The management and the fans will want more of the same from them. It will be interesting to see if they can deliver once again or will the visitors take back the advantage? Only time will tell!!
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