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BSP-10
CRICKET-IND-AUS
India blow as Ashwin, Sharma ruled out of second Test
PERTH, Australia, Dec 13, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – India suffered a big setback on
the eve of the second Test against Australia when ace spinner Ravichandran
Ashwin and experienced batsman Rohit Sharma were ruled out on Thursday.
Also missing, as expected, will be young opener Prithvi Shaw, who was not
considered for the opening Test in Adelaide after suffering ligament damage
in a warm-up match.
“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.”
The BCCI added that Shaw was “recovering well” but still undergoing
treatment.
Ashwin took six wickets in the first Test, which India won by 31 runs,
while Sharma hit 37 and one.
India named a 13-man team for the Test starting Friday, which is set to be
played on a fast and bouncy Perth Stadium wicket.
All-rounder Hanuma Vihari, who can bowl off-spin, was included, as was
Ravindra Jadeja who has taken 185 Test wickets with his left-arm spin and
also averages 32.44 with the bat in 39 appearances for India.
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
BSS/AFP/MSY/1038 hrs