Brisbane Test: Rishabh Pant may play as specialist batsman, Saha as Wicketkeeper

Image of Cricket Rishabh Pant may play as specialist batsman (Rishabh Pant (Image Source: Google))

India's lower middle-order could be the weak link with both Hanuma Vihari (hamstring tear) and Ravindra Jadeja (dislocated thumb) being unlikely starters for the fourth and final Test against Australia starting on Friday at the Gabba in Brisbane. They could draft in Wriddhiman Saha as regular wicketkeeper and play Rishabh Pant as the specialist batsman.

India could also draft in either Mayank Agarwal or Prithvi Shaw as a specialist batsman.

There are also concerns over R Ashwin's fitness as he woke up with a back tweak on Monday and then suffered a hit on his ribs by a short delivery from speedster Pat Cummins.

Ashwin, Vihari, and Jadeja's injuries follow injuries to Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav who have returned home after the first two Tests and are recuperating at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Ishant Sharma, another first-choice pacer like Shami and Umesh, did not travel with the Indian team to Australia due to injury.

Batsman KL Rahul returned to India with a wrist injury after the second Test. India is already missing skipper Virat Kohli who returned home to attend the birth of his child, born on Monday.

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