India’s bid for a first Test series win in Australia took a blow on the eve of the second match as all-rounder Ravi Ashwin and batsman Rohit Sharma were ruled out through injury.
Both players were part of the Indian team that won their first Test on Australian soil since 2008, a tense 31-run win against Adelaide.
But the pair – along with young opener Prithvi Shaw, who is still recovering from ligament damage – have been ruled out of the Perth Test on Friday, the second of the four-match series.
“Ravi Ashwin has a left-sided abdominal strain. He is receiving treatment at the moment. He has been ruled out of the second Test,” India’s governing body, the BCCI, said.
“Rohit Sharma jarred his lower back while fielding in the first Test at Adelaide. He is undergoing treatment, he too is ruled out of the second Test.”
India’s team include Hanuma Vihari, who can bowl off-spin but has played just one Test to date, and left-armer Ravindra Jadeja.
However, the tourists may opt for a full pace bowling line-up in what many predict will be one of the fastest paced red-ball matches in history.
India: Virat Kohli (capt), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav
Perth - We are here! 😎👍🏻 #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/AHeGmgKVVQ
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 13, 2018
