India vs England : Umesh Yadav to replace Shardul Thakur following fitness test

Umesh Yadav, who suffered a calf strain in the Melbourne Test against Australia, has been included in the squad for the last two Tests against England subject to a fitness test in Ahmedabad.

India were deprived of Umesh Yadav’s services in the first two Tests – especially the first one when the ball reversed quite a bit – but as a good news for the Indian fans ahead of the Pink Ball Test that Yadav is set to make a comeback.

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Another injury returnee KL Rahul, who has achieved full fitness after suffering an injury in Australia, will also be eligible for the third Test that will kick start on February 24. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill, who didn’t take the field on the fourth day of the second Test, has been named in the squad and the scan report seemed to be promising.

The selectors have decided to release the likes of Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shahbaz Nadeem, and Priyank Panchal along with Shardul Thakur to partake in the Vijay Hazare Trophy while Ankit Rajpoot, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Warrier, Krishnappa Gowtham, and Saurabh Kumar have been named as net bowlers.

Umesh’s comeback is subject to fitness

Since 2011, when Umesh made his debut, he has picked up 96 wickets in 28 Tests in India and it must be noted that no seamer in the history of cricket has picked up more wickets than Umesh (96) in India at a better average (24.54) and strike rate (45.7).

That easily tells the impact that the Vidarbha pacer has on the team and the management will be eager to have him in the side. However, that will be subject to his fitness level and if he passes the test ahead of the third Test.