T Natarajan should get the opportunity over Navdeep Saini: Adam Gilchrist

Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist assumes that T Natarajan should get the opportunity over Navdeep Saini in the Sydney Test. Gilchrist also believes that the left-arm pacer would bring more variety to the Indian bowling department.

Team India will be compelled to make a few changes for the upcoming Test as Yadav has already returned home after sustaining a calf strain. Because of the injury, the Indian team management had to add T Natarajan to the Test squad as a replacement for Yadav.

The left-arm pacer was only brought in as a net bowler after the limited-overs series against Australia. After the exit of Yadav, he now has a window of opportunity to make his Test debut.

Is T Natarajan going to make his debut in the third Test?

The Tamil Nadu pacer has seen a sudden rise over the past few months. After his successful IPL campaign, he has managed to impress the selectors. Natarajan played for the Indian side in the last ODI against Australia. It was the first match of the tour that the visitors won. The 29-year-old claimed two wickets in that game but also gave away 70 runs in his ten overs.

It was the shortest format of the game where the seamer was at his best. The men in blue registered a 2-1 series win. In the entire series, Natarajan played a massive role as he took six wickets in three games. He also bowled at an economy rate of 6.92.

However, the Tamil Nadu pacer is still unproven in the most extended format of the game. As per some reports, Shardul Thakur is the front runner to replace Yadav for the third Test. The Mumbai bowler has enough experience and performance with the red-ball over the years in domestic cricket.

Another factor why Thakur should replace Yadav is his ability to bat lower down the order. However, if the visitors are looking to add some variety to their bowling unit, they should consider T Natarajan.

Thakur has played only one Test where he bowled only ten balls after suffering an injury. The bowler has taken 206 wickets from 62 first-class games averaging 28.55. On the other end, Saini has picked up 128 wickets in 46 first-class matches averaging 28.46. T Natarajan has featured in only 20 first-class games and taken 64 wickets.

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