 Unadkat played against Australia in their recent warm-up match |
India have called up uncapped youngsters Abhinav Mukund and Jaidev Unadkat for the second Test against Australia, which starts on Saturday. Opener Gautam Gambhir and pace bowler Ishant Sharma will miss the match in Bangalore because of knee injuries. Mukund, 20, is a left-handed opening batsman like Gambhir and averages 55 in first-class wicket. Unadkat, a left-arm seamer, is only 18 and has been elevated to the squad after only four first-class matches. He played for a Board President's XI against Australia at the start of their tour but only managed match figures of 1-153. India only need to draw the second Test to win the series following their thrilling one-wicket victory in the opening match at Mohali. Ishant had a crucial role in the outcome, contributing 31 to a ninth-wicket stand of 81 with VVS Laxman, who still hopes to play in Bangalore despite needing a runner because of a back problem.  | 606: DEBATE |
Australia, meanwhile, have left skipper Ricky Ponting, all-rounder Shane Watson and fast bowler Mitchell Johnson out of their squad for the one-day series which follows the Tests. All three are being given a break ahead of the home Ashes series against England. Michael Clarke will captain the side in the three-match series and their 14-man squad includes uncaped pacemen James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc, both 20. The former is the younger brother of Darren Pattinson, who played on Test for England in 2008. The Australian selectors have also recalled middle-order batsman Callum Ferguson, who has been out of international cricket since May last year because of a serious knee injury. "James and Mitchell have really impressed since joining the Test squad as standby players. The NSP [National Selection Panel) is sure they will have an impact in international cricket and will seize this opportunity," said chief selector Andrew Hilditch. "Callum Ferguson has been in great form recently and richly deserves the opportunity to resume his position in the Australian one-day side where he performed so well prior to this injury."
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