Indian National Cricket team off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin began his race to regain fitness for the fourth and final Test against Australia from January 3 (Thursday). Meanwhile, the visitors gave the practice it a complete miss while Australia had an optional practice session.
Meanwhile, India is currently leading the series 2-1 following their Boxing Day victory at MCG by 137 runs. If the scoreline makes them happy, they might have a happier headache if Ashwin is fit and ready for selection. Physio Patrick Farhart and trainer Shankar Basu accompanied Ravichandran Ashwin at the SCG.
Ashwin injured himself on the fourth evening of the Adelaide Test, and he further aggravated the injury as Australia kept India on the field for almost the whole fifth day, before the visitors sealed their first win of the series. Ravichandran Ashwin went on to miss both the Perth and Melbourne Tests with the left-sided abdominal strain.
The latest update, meanwhile, on Ashwin’s fitness was given by captain Virat Kohli on Sunday, moments after the Melbourne Test.
“I think Ashwin’s very close to being match-fit,” Kohli had said. “He’s been bowling a lot of overs, and I’m sure these next four days will make him even stronger. So regardless of it being the last Test match, he will be willing to push himself and start for the team but again it depends on what kind of pitch we get in Sydney,” he added.
The fourth and final Test between India and Australia commences from January 3 (Thursday).
