Shardul or Natarajan? Netizens drop in suggestions for Umesh Yadav's replacement at SCG

As Team India gears up for third Test against Australia riding high on momentum after win at MCG, Men in Blue will have to face a selection headache heading into Sydney Test. As per ANI sources, speedster Umesh Yadav has been sent back home to undergo rehab at National Cricket Academy (NCA) after he sustained an injury during second Test. With two key pacers - Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami - being ruled out of series and Ishant Sharma missing, Team India will be forced to turn towards young guns for key Test at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). 

While Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj will be an automatic selection for third Test, spot for third pacer will be in contention between T Natarajan and Shardul Thakur. Natarajan, who recently made his debut in limited-overs cricket during same tour, could be roped in to make his debut in longest format of game as well. However, as per PTI source, Shardul Thakur's red-hot form in domestic circle could catapult him into Test squad for Sydney Test. 

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"While people are excited about brilliant progress shown by T Natarajan, we mustn't forget he has played only one first-class match for Tamil Nadu. And Shardul has been a seasoned domestic red ball pacer for Mumbai," a BCCI source privy to developments in Australia told PTI on Thursday.

"Shardul was really unfortunate that his Test debut against West Indies ended abruptly due to injury even before he could bowl an over. He has been shaping up well and might replace Umesh in playing XI," source added.

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Twitter brimmed with suggestions for third seamer, here's how netizens reacted: 

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Rohit Sharma joins squad in Melbourne

In a massive boost to Indian team, Rohit Sharma joined entire squad on Wednesday after ending his quarantine period in Sydney. Sharma's return to Team India will boost entire squad's morale at a time when several key players have been ruled out of Test series due to injuries including skipper Virat Kohli who has flown back home for birth of his first child. 

entire squad jumped to welcome Rohit Sharma as he entered hotel in Melbourne. Amongst those seen in video shared by BCCI were KL Rahil, Ravindra Jadeja, T Natarajan, Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank Agarwal, skipper Ajinkya Rahane and coach Ravi Shastri. coach was also seen having a friendly chat with opener. 

SCG gets d to host 3rd Test 

Clearing cloud of doubt over occasion for third Test of Border Gavaskar Trophy, Cricket Australia has confirmed that Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) will host third Test of series, as per schedule. rising number of COVID-19 cases had cast a doubt on SCG playing host for annual pink Test, putting national cricket board on high alert. However, officials have affirmed that COVID-19 threat has subsided eugh allowing match at SCG to proceed as per schedule. 

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