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Published 10:37 IST, January 15th 2021

Another injury scare for India? Navdeep Saini complains of pain in groin, limps off field

India could be dealt with another major blow as pacer Navdeep Saini complained of pain in his groin forcing him to limp off the field on Day 1 of the 4th Test

Reported by: Koushik Narayanan
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India could be dealt with another major blow as pacer Navdeep Saini complained of pain in his groin area forcing him to limp off the field on Day one of the 4th Test against Australia at Brisbane. Playing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy decider at the hosts' fort the Gabba, India are already faced with sufficient trouble by fielding an inexperienced side due to a series of injuries to the experienced stars over the last two games. Providing an update on Navdeep Saini, BCCI informed that the pacer was being monitored by the BCCI's medical team after he complained of pain in his groin. 

READ | Rohit Sharma Takes Blinder At Slip To Dismiss David Warner As India Strike Early At Gabba

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Another injury scare for India?

READ | Ajinkya Rahane Denies India Brisbane Test Control After Dropping Marnus Labuschagne: WATCH

Labuschagne's drop may prove costly for India

Marnus Labuschagne continued his piping hot form to put Australia in firm control after losing two early wickets on Day one at the Gabba. At tea, Labuschagne stood unbeaten at 73 runs, having faced 167 deliveries and smashing seven boundaries. The Australian batsman was also given a breather after Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane dropped a catch that was hit straight at him. 

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The 36th over, which came soon after Smith's wicket, proved to be an eventful over for the bowling team. Marnus Labuschagne, who has been in a remarkable touch in the series, was almost sent packing by a spectacular delivery from Navdeep Saini. On the fifth ball of the over, Navdeep Saini bowled a peach of a delivery that took the batsman by surprise. The speedster banged it just short of the good length mark around the off-stump, and it took a thick edge out of Labuschagne's bat as he looked to defend it. 

READ | Natarajan, Sundar Make Test Debuts As Injury-hit India Eye To End Australia's Gabba Streak

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Australia win toss, elect to bat at Gabba

Australia won the toss and elected to bat against a depleted Indian side which will be missing both Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin in the fourth Test starting on Friday. Pacer Shardul Thakur is playing his second Test match and Mayank Agarwal replaces Hanuma Vihari in the middle-order. Australia only has one change in Marcus Harris in place of injured Luke Pucovski. Bumrah being ruled out of the fourth Test was first reported by PTI on January 12 amidst reports that he could play even if he is 50 per cent fit. "There was never any chance of Bumrah playing but like any top team, they wouldn't like their opposition to get a psychological advantage,' a senior BCCI source privy to the development said.

READ | Steve Smith Becomes Washington Sundar's 1st Test Scalp With Rohit Sharma's TOP Take: WATCH

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10:37 IST, January 15th 2021