India suffered a significant blow ahead of the decisive fifth Test against Australia in SCG. Pacer Akash Deep has been ruled out due to a stiff back. Deep has taken 5 wickets in the 2 matches he has played in the series so far.
“Akash Deep is out with a problem,” the India coach confirmed Gautam Gambhir during the press conference before the match.
The 28-year-old bowled 87.5 overs in the series and claimed 5 wickets. However, his numbers could have been better, but missed chances denied him. He thought the cause of his injury was unknown, BCCI he is trying to manage his workload to get fit on time.
Replacement Dilemma: Harshit Rana or Prasidh Krishna?
India now faces a difficult decision in finalizing it Akash Deepreplacement. Either Harshit Rana or Prasidh Krishna will probably jump in. Harshit Rana played 2 matches in the series earlier. He impressed with 4 wickets in the first Test in Perth but failed to make a mark in Adelaide.
India are down 1-2 in the series and must win in Sydney to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Gambhir’s choices throughout the series have already come under scrutiny, especially after fielding experienced spinners Ravindra Jadeja and R. Ashwin in Perth.
Bold call by Australia: Webster in, Marsh out
And Australia made changes, a decline Mitchell Marsh due to his poor performance. Captain Pat Cummins has confirmed that Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster will make his Test debut.
“Mitch knows he didn’t score enough,” Cummins said, referring to Marsh’s shutout. Marsh managed just 73 runs in seven innings and took just three wickets in the series.
Webster, the 29-year-old all-rounder, now has a chance to make an impact in his first outing.
Controversy surrounding the selection from both sides
The selection strategies of both teams were hot topics throughout the series. India’s decision to shuffle the top order—relegation KL Rahul down the order and promoted out of form Rohit Sharma— left fans confused. Meanwhile, Australia’s persistence with Marsh despite his poor form has finally given way to Webster’s inclusion.
India also raised eyebrows by fielding three all-rounders in Melbourne, leaving their batting order uncertain. Nitish Kumar Reddypromotion and exclusion Shubman Gill he further disturbed the balance of the team.
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