Indian batsman Raina joins Test side after injury to Shakhar Dhawan.
India have recalled Suresh Raina to the side as they prepare to face Australia in the fourth Test in Delhi on Friday.
Opener Shakhar Dhawan fractured his hand whilst fielding on his debut, as he tried to stop a square drive from Australian batsman Phillip Hughes.
Dhawan did not field for the rest of the day after the injury and also did not participate in India’s second innings with the bat. This was unfortunate for the debutant as he had scored the fastest ever century on debut in the first innings and was finally out for 187.
Raina comes in as cover as Gautum Ghambir, who was initially called up, was revealed to have contracted jaundice after undergoing a blood test.
With Dhawan and Ghambir both unavailable and Virender Sehwag axed from India’s Test team before the third Test, it now leaves the home side with just Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane as the only available opening batsmen.
Rahane is yet to feature in a Test match for India so captain MS Dhoni and the selectors may opt for Cheteshwar Pujara as an opening partner for Vijay and Raina in the middle order. Pujara filled in at number two in the second innings in Mohali after Dhawan’s injury.
Raina has played 17 Test matches for India so far in his career, with the last of which coming against New Zealand in Bangalore in September 2012.
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