IND vs AUS: Rohit Sharma reveals reason behind Mohammed Shami's absence from Indore Test

India and Australia are locking horns in the third Test of the four-match series in Indore and one important player is missing from action. The hosts went in with two changes in the playing eleven, opener KL Rahul was eventually dropped after a string of low scores and was replaced with in-form batter Shubman Gill. However, the omission of fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who picked up four wickets in the first innings of the second Test, left everyone baffled.

Skipper Rohit Sharma revealed the reason behind Shami’s absence from the Test, saying that the fast bowler has been rested. Sharma also made an interesting observation about speculations regarding the surface being prepared for the fourth Test match in Ahmedabad.

"We aren't there yet (WTC final) and we have to come and win this game, we have to try and repeat the things we did in the first two Tests. It is important to stay present. We have made two changes - Gill comes in place of KL. We have rested Shami,” Rohit said after the toss.

The pitch for the fourth Test at Ahmedabad will reportedly be a green top and with Jasprit Bumrah unavailable for the World Test Championship final, the team management is looking to rest their most experienced seamer from the current squad.  

Shami has been replaced by seamer Umesh Yadav who has an outstanding record bowling in India. Yadav has claimed 98 wickets at an average of 25.16 in home conditions.

Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green included in Australian Playing XI

On the other hand, Australia also made two changes to their playing XI with all-rounder Cameron Green coming in for David Warner who had to fly back to Australia due to an elbow fracture. Mitchell Starc replaced captain Pat Cummins who also returned home to be alongside his ailing mother. In the absence of Cummins, Steve Smith is leading the Kangaroos in the third Test.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first in Indore. The Indian captain survived twice in the very first over of the match before finally getting out for 12. The wicket had immense assistance for the spinners in the first session itself with the Indian batting collapsing against the spin duo of Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon. At lunch time, India found themselves reeling at 84/7 with all main batters back to the hut. 

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