The Indian team management will be expected to prefer Shardul Thakur over the left-arm fast bowler, Thangarasu Natarajan in the third Test against Australia in place of injured Umesh Yadav. According to sources, senior pacer Yadav is heading home for rehabilitation after being ruled out of the fourth and final Test in Brisbane as well. The third Test is scheduled to be commencing in Sydney on January 7.

Describing the same one of the sources in PTI said, “While people are excited about the brilliant progress shown by T Natarajan, we mustn’t forget he has played only one first-class match for Tamil Nadu. And Shardul has been a seasoned domestic red ball pacer for Mumbai. Shardul was really unfortunate that his Test debut against West Indies ended abruptly due to injury even before he could bowl an over. He has been shaping up well and might replace Umesh in the playing XI.”

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The final call will be taken by the head coach Ravi Shastri, stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane and bowling coach Bharat Arun after the team will reach Sydney.

Shardul has so far played 62 first class matches in which he has scalped 206 wickets to show for his efforts. Another aspect that India would like to address ahead of the Third Test is a long tail that has some effects on the team. Shardul has six first class fifties and during his stint with the national team in white ball games, he has proved to be a decent batsman.

Explaining the same, a source added, “Obviously the next few training sessions will be important and that’s why the final call is likely to be taken in Sydney.”

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As far as Yadav is concerned, he is expected to head off to National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for extensive rehab programme. The 33-year-old had hobbled off the field after suffering the injury during the third day of the Boxing Day Test