Indian speedster Umesh Yadav is not expected to take any further part in the ongoing second Test of the four-match series at MCG after suffering a calf muscle injury on the third day of the match. Not only that, he is also doubtful to play in the third Test.
“Umesh Yadav complained of pain in his calf while bowling his 4th over and was assessed by the BCCI medical team. He is being taken for scans now,” BCCI media team said in a statement.
The 33-year-old was in the midst of a fine spell when he experienced pain in his left leg and asked for medical attention. He was later seen hobbling off the field.
According to the reports of the scan afterwards, it is pretty certain that he won’t be taking further part in the match and his participation in the next Test is doubtful as well.
Umesh had gone wicketless in the first innings but had taken thr wicket of Joe Burns in the second innings with an excellent delivery. He looked good for a big haul but his spell got hindered due to the injury.
India have already lost two of their regular pacers in Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami due to injury and now the injury to Umesh has increased their woes further.
Umesh Yadav has a pretty good record in Tests. He has taken 147 wickets in 47 matches at an average of 30.56.
His injury, however, provides them with an opportunity to test their bench strength in tough conditions. Mohammad Siraj has already exceeded expectations after he made his debut in the ongoing match as Shami’s replacement. If Umesh doesn’t recover before the second Test, we might see Navdeep Saini making his Test debut as well.
Saini has a good first-class record to his name. He has claimed 128 wickets in 46 matches so far, at a very good average of 28.46. That includes four 5-wicket hauls as well and best bowling figures of 7/79 in a match.
