(Reuters) – India quick Umesh Yadav will miss the last two tests against Australia with a calf injury, the ESPNcricinfo website reported on Thursday.
Yadav bowled only 3.3 overs in Australia’s second innings in the second test before limping off as India went on to level the series 1-1 with an eight-wicket victory in Melbourne.
An India team spokesman could not immediately provide an update on Yadav’s injury but ESPNcricinfo said the 33-year-old would miss the matches in Sydney and Brisbane.
Yadav’s absence would further deplete India’s pace attack, leaving Jasprit Bumrah as the lone frontline quick in their squad.
Veteran seamer Ishant Sharma missed the tour with a side strain while Mohammed Shami has been sidelined after fracturing his forearm while batting in the opening test in Adelaide.
Shami’s replacement Mohammed Siraj impressed in his debut in Melbourne where he picked five wickets and proved his ability to bowl long spells.
In Yadav’s absence, Shardul Thakur, who made his test debut against West Indies last year, is likely to get the nod for the third test in Sydney from Jan. 7.
The tourists are already without regular skipper Virat Kohli, who returned home after the opening test to attend the birth of his first child.
India, led by stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane, got a boost when fit-again opener Rohit Sharma joined the squad on Wednesday after serving his two-week quarantine period in Australia.
