The BCCI has called in batsman Mayank Agarwal and all-rounder Hardik Pandya into the Test squad for the remaining two Tests against Australia. The 2nd Test in Perth is currently underway, with the result favouring Australia as the match heads to the final day on Tuesday.
Opening batsman Prithvi Shaw, who had suffered a left ankle injury while attempting a catch in the practice game against CA XI has been ruled out of the ongoing Test series against Australia. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Mayank Agarwal as his replacement.
The selectors have also added all-rounder Pandya to India’s squad for the third and fourth Test to be played in Melbourne and Sydney respectively.
With KL Rahul failing terribly in two Tests, the team management may hand Test debut to 27-year-old Agrawal, who plays for Karnataka.
Rahul scored 2 and 44 in Adelaide but managed 2 and 0 in Perth, where India are staring at a defeat.
Agarwal who has played 46 first class games, scored 25 and 53 for his Ranji side against Gujarat in his last match.
India’s squad for the 3rd and 4th Test against Australia: Virat Kohli (captain), M Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Parthiv Patel (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, Mayank Agarwal
