Injuries galore for both India and Australia ahead of the three-match ODI series. Both teams will be missing their regular captains, only the first ODI in India’s case as the two teams get ready for the dress rehearsal in the ODI World Cup year, later in October-November in the host country. Here’s a look at the list of injuries ahead of the series-
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- India will take on Australia in a three-match ODI series starting March 17 in Mumbai
- There are quite a few injury concerns for both teams ahead of the series
- The series will serve as perfect preparation for both teams ahead of the ODI World Cup later this year in India
After a closely contested four-match Test series, India and Australia are gearing up for an ODI assignment, which could be crucial in more ways than one. While India will face their toughest test at home in the 50-over format in 2023 after playing Sri Lanka and New Zealand each for a three-match series, Australia are still building their team in the post-Aaron Finch era.
But with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 not that far, both teams will hope to get their combinations right in what is part of the preparation for the marquee tournament.
However, the preparations for both teams have been far from ideal as they have been affected by injuries and a few key players will miss parts of the series, some a game or two, while some the entire series. While David Warner will be monitored till Friday morning if he will take part in the first ODI or not, having returned from an elbow injury, the regular captains of both teams too will miss the series (one match in the case of Rohit Sharma) due to personal reasons. Here’s a look at the list of absentees-
1. Rohit Sharma – one match
Skipper Rohit Sharma is reportedly set to attend his brother-in-law’s wedding and hence will miss the series opener at his home ground, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Hardik Pandya will lead the Indian team in his absence
2. Shreyas Iyer – all three matches
Shreyas Iyer, the middle-order batter will miss the ODI series as confirmed by the fielding coach T. Dilip. Iyer’s back injury resurfaced during the fourth Test against Australia and is set to be out till the end of April.
3. Pat Cummins – all three matches
Australian Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins and his family are grieving after his mother Maria passed away during the Ahmedabad Test. Cummins decided to stay back at his home in Sydney and Steve Smith will captain the visiting side as the Test matches.
4. Josh Hazlewood – all three matches
Senior Australian pacer, Josh Hazlewood, who is yet to recover from his Achilles injury will miss the three-match ODI series as well after the Test matches and the questions about his participation in IPL 2023 have started rising
5. Jhye Richardson – all three matches
Another Australian pacer set to miss the ODI series will be Jhye Richardson, who returned to action for his local club after a two-month-long injury layoff but suffered a hamstring pull and could only bowl four overs in the match.
Richardson recently underwent surgery and will miss the ODIs as well as IPL 2023. Nathan Ellis was named Richardson’s replacement in Australia’s ODI squad.