Bhuvneshwar on road to recovery, eyes Boxing Day Test at MCG

Despite trailing 0-2 going into the Boxing Day Test, the Indian team has something to cheer about as Bhuvneshwar Kumar's hopes of playing in the Melbourne match increased after the pacer went through the nets session without any discomfort in Melbourne, on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old injured his ankle during the warm-up games and was ruled out of the first two Tests with Dhawal Kulkarni flying in as back-up.

India missed Kumar's services in Adelaide and Brisbane as they lost both the matches.

The Uttar Pradesh seamer, who also has a first-class batting average of 29.21, is eagerly awaited in the playing eleven for the second Test, starting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26 and his batting in the nets raised hopes of his inclusion in the third game.

Even after the second match in Brisbane, Kumar had bowled in the nets with a heavily strapped ankle and was seen speaking with bowling coach Bharat Arun after the nets.

He did not bowl on Tuesday as it started drizzling in India's session and a final call will only be taken after a couple of days.

Image: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (left) in the nets as team mate Ishant Kumar looks on during the tour of England in July 2014.

Photograph: Scott Heavey/Getty Images

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