Will Bumrah play Brisbane Test?

Jasprit Bumrah could miss the Brisbane Test due to an abdominal strain.

The injury-ravaged Indian team was dealt another blow on Tuesday as pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the fourth and final Test against Australia, starting on Friday, due to an abdominal strain.

Bumrah sustained the strain during the drawn third Test in Sydney.

His scan reports showed a strain and the Indian team management does not want him to aggravate the injury, keeping in mind the upcoming four-Test series against England.

"Jasprit Bumrah suffered an abdominal strain while fielding in Sydney. He is going to sit out of the Brisbane Test, but is expected to be available against England," a BCCI source said.

However, a source told ANI said there is a three-day rest period and Bumrah will take the field at any cost.

"Mind over body for this one mate. We believe the three-day rest period is good enough to help him be completely ready for the fourth Test at The Gabba. Even if he is 50 per cent fit, he will play the game. We are looking to return with a 2-1 win," the source said.

Agarwal sustains knock in nets, Ashwin has back spasms

The injury-ravaged Indian team was dealt another telling blow as Mayank Agarwal -- tipped to be Hanuma Vihari's replacement in the playing XI in Brisbane -- has sustained a knock on the hands and it could be a hairline fracture.

To make matters worse, Ravichandran Ashwin's back spasms have aggravated after battling for three hours on the final day, leaving little options for India on the bench.

The problem with Indian team is after injured KL Rahul's departure and Hanuma Vihari's grade 2 tear, there are no back-up middle-order batsman left in the reserves.

The only two available batsmen are two out of form openers in Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal.

It remains to be seen if India, knowing their depleted strength and long tail, decide to take the conservative route of playing four bowlers and six batsmen with Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper.

If Agarwal's scans reveal that it's a bruise and not a fracture, then it could well be Prithvi Shaw batting at number three followed by Cheteshwar Pujara , Ajhinkya Rahane and Agarwal himself at number six.

If they go with five bowlers, then collective experience of pace attack will be three Test matches and 10 balls (Siraj-2, Saini -1, Shardul -10 balls on debut, Natarajan-yet to play). 

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