Umesh Yadav injury update: Ajinkya Rahane provides massive update about Yadav’s calf injury

Umesh Yadav injury update: The Indian captain didn’t rule out the prospect of the injured fast bowler regaining fitness before the third Test.

India stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane has expressed “pride” for the Indian team after beating Australia by 8 wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Coming on the back of their lowest-ever Test score and playing without five key players, India registering a comprehensive victory will go down as one of their bests on overseas soil.

Rahane, who led from the front with his 12th Test century, hailed the inclusion of debutants Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for each one of them played vital roles to bring back India into the series.

“Really proud of all the players. Played really well,” Rahane told Fox Sports during the post-match presentation ceremony. “Want to give credit to the debutants [Mohammed] Siraj and [Shubman] Gill, the character they showed after the Adelaide loss was great to see. Character was important for us, especially after losing Umesh [Yadav] in the second innings.

“Shubman, we all know his first-class career and in this game, he has shown the intent to play shots at this level. Has shown composure. Siraj has shown that he can bowl with discipline. It’s really difficult for debutants to bowl with discipline but that’s where I think the First-class experience comes in handy.

“That [five-bowler plan] worked well for us nicely. We were thinking of having an all-rounder and [Ravindra] Jadeja has been brilliant for us,” Rahane said.

Umesh Yadav injury update

Among the absentees, Virat Kohli is on a paternity leave and Rohit Sharma is undergoing his mandatory quarantine period. On the other hand, the likes of Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav have all been injured.

While Ishant hasn’t traveled to Australia and Shami has returned to India due to a fractured arm, Yadav suffered a calf injury in the second innings of this match. Rahane, who all but confirmed Rohit Sharma’s return in the New Year’s Test, didn’t entirely rule out Yadav missing the next match.

“Umesh [Yadav] is recovering well, management and medical staff will take the call. We’re excited about Rohit coming back. Spoke to him yesterday, he’s waiting to join the team,” Rahane added.