India declare squad for 4th Test; 3 spinners included

Team India has given strong indications of playing more than one spinner at the SCG for the fourth Test against Australia. BCCI has announced a 13-member squad for the Test which includes three spinners R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. KL Rahul is back in the team while Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been ignored once again.

Ashwin out and then in

In the recent days, BCCI and the team management have changed their statements and decisions several times. Another such incident happened when the squad for the 4th Test was announced.

R Ashwin was initially ruled out of the squad but a few hours later BCCI stated that the off-spinner has been included in the squad and the final decision on his place in the team will be taken on the morning of the Test.

About 12:30pm Tim Paine says: "That's good news. I think conditions here would've suited him really nicely. Usually spins a bit and with his height he would've been a bit of a handful. Some of our batters will be pretty happy to hear that news."

?#AUSvIND https://t.co/qHR0jkdeED

— Jon Healy (@JonHealy) January 2, 2019

Ishant Sharma out, Umesh In, Bhuvi a traveller 

India have also left out Ishant Sharma from the squad. Sharma played in all three Tests so far and fared decently.

He is replaced by Umesh Yadav who played in the second Test and was dropped for the third Test. Interestingly the team management has ignored Bhuvneshwar Kumar once again. Bhuvi didn’t feature in any Tests during this series and will finish the series while warming the benches.

India name 13-man squad for SCG Test: Virat Kohli (C), A Rahane (VC), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, C Pujara, H Vihari, R Pant, R Jadeja, K Yadav, R Ashwin, M Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav

A decision on R Ashwin's availability will be taken on the morning of the Test #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/4Lji2FExU8

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 2, 2019

The presence of Jadeja and Kuldeep means India may play two spinners. But at the same time India’a haven’t picked Hardik Pandya who could have worked as a third seamer.

The void created by Rohit Sharma’s absence will be filled by either KL Rahul or by the third seamer.

India’s 13-member squad for SCG Test-

Virat Kohli (C), A Rahane (VC), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, C Pujara, H Vihari, R Pant, R Jadeja, K Yadav, R Ashwin, M Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav