Ishant and Jadeja available for Republic Day Clash

India got a much needed boost ahead of their all important match against Australia starting tomorrow in Sydney. Ishant Sharma, who suffered an ankle injury that ruled him out of the Sydney test and the first two matches of the triangular series is back working good pace in the nets. India desperately needs his services as he would look forward to lead the Indian pace attack that has been woeful under his absence. Ravindra Jadeja is available for selection after suffering a left shoulder injury that has kept him out of the tour. India will have to decide whether to go with Axar Patel who has been average at best so far or Jadeja who hasn’t played in a while for this crucial game of the series. Amid reports that India not fielding the best XI was the main reason behind their disasterous outings, Dhoni stated-

“We have been playing our best XI but we have been hampered by injuries. We do look to try different things but also look to win the game. There is no point in playing someone with a niggle with so less time into the World Cup. You might win the game but end up losing the player for the world Cup. I know this tournament is important but we do not want to lose our best players for the World Cup”.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has not yet fully recovered from the hamstring soreness and will be missing the Sydney ODI as well.

Edited by Arundhati Pimplikar