Injury Concern For Team India; Akash Deep Likely To Miss SCG Test Vs Australia

Akash Deep injured [Source: AP Photos]

January 1, 2025 has turned out to be a controversial day for Indian cricket as nothing good has been reported on the team. First, it was the rift between the Indian players and the head coach Gautam Gambhir and now it has come to light that pacer Akash Deep is injured and might miss the 5th Test in Sydney.

As per Express Sports, the star pacer is suffering from back issues and might sit out of the next Test match which begins on January 3. Harshit Rana is likely to replace him as the third seamer in the side.

The injury has put an halt to India's preparations for the SCG Test match which is a crucial game for the Indian side. The team now has to re-think about their strategy and also needs to keep in check the workload management of Jasprit Bumrah.

With Akash Deep out, Harshit Rana is the replacement which Team India will try and bring in as the visitors will eye a win to level the 5-match Test series.

The team could also make way for Prasidh Krishna at the expense of Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja, but since the SCG surface generally favours the spinners, India might go in with two spinners.

India planning changes to their SCG Test lineup

Bringing in Harshit Rana might be a forced change, but the Indian side is planning quite a few changes to their lineup. Earlier, it was reported that Rishabh Pant, the star keper might be benched for the next Test due to his reckless game in Melbourne.

In his place, the team might bring in Dhruv Jurel, who played the first Test in Perth, but didn't feature in the next three Tests.

Also, the team might bring in Shubman Gill back at number 3 and one of Washington Sundar/Ravindra Jadeja could sit out, if the pitch is not entirely a spin-friendly deck.

---

ALSO READ

Rohit To Drop Pant; Shubman Gill Back? India's Probable XI For 5th Test Vs Australia

---