India’s senior-most fast bowler Mohammed Shami may find a place in the playing XI for the final Test against Australia in Ahmedabad. Shami was given rest during the Indore match.
The fourth and last Test match will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad from March 9.
The Indian team management, in consultation with the medical staff, has decided to rest the fast bowlers, who are going to play IPL regularly and are part of the ODI World Cup plans.
Hence Shami, who played the first two Tests and is also part of the ODI squad, was rested for the third match. He was replaced by Umesh Yadav as the second fast bowler behind Mohammad Siraj.
It should be noted that Siraj had bowled only 24 overs in the first three matches. Siraj is likely to feature in all the three ODIs between March 17 and 22, he is likely to be rested during the final game at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera.
Shami, who has taken 7 wickets in more than 30 overs, will be needed by the team on the dry surface at Motera, which can be conducive to reverse swing.
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India currently leads the four-Test series 2-1 but need to win the final match against New Zealand to nullify Sri Lanka’s series result. If India wins the last match, then only it will be able to make it to the final of the World Test Championship. At the moment, conditions are difficult. Because winning the third test match has given Australia the confidence to make a comeback.