R Ashwin to undergo fitness test | Photo Credit: PTI

India suffered big blows ahead of the second Test of the series against Australia as the visitors were without the services of R Ashwin and Rohit Sharma, who were deemed unfit and were ruled out of the contest. While an official update is yet to be made regarding the duo, a report in The Mumbai Mirror suggests that Ashwin will have to prove his fitness on Sunday to be in contention for selection in the second Test.

It is to be noted that team India will be back to training for the first time after the second Test on Sunday and Ashwin will have to prove his fitness on Sunday. He was ruled out of the second game due to an abdominal strain. In his absence, Ravindra Jadeja was included in the 13-member squad for the 2nd Test but he also sat out India went with an all-pace bowling attack.

While Ashwin might in the playing XI if he is deemed fit, there is no update on Rohit as of yet and even if he is fit, Hanuma Vihari is expected to retain his place.

(Mayank Agarwal was recalled to the Test team. Photo credits: PTI)

A likely change in the opening combination is expected with KL Rahul being the likely candidate to make a place for Mayank Agarwal, who has joined the team in Australia. He was handed a recall to the Test side in place of an injured Prithvi Shaw, who was ruled out of the series due to the ankle injury that he suffered during the practice game.

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A return for Hardik Pandya to the playing XI is unlikely. The last time he was a part of the Test team, he was dropped from the playing XI – fifth Test of the series against England. The third Test of the series between India and Australia kicks off on January 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The series is presently level at 1-1.