Bharat comes in as cover for Pant

The 26-year-old Bharat is uncapped and has an experience of 74 first-class matches with 4143 runs. He has a strike rate of over 100 in T20s.

“The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Bharat as the back-up wicketkeeper for the second ODI against Australia in Rajkot,” BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said in a statement.

“With Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan being a part of the India ‘A’ side in New Zealand, the selection committee decided to name Bharat as the back-up wicketkeeper,” he added.

The call was taken after Pant flew to Bengaluru to undergo his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

The wicketkeeper-batsman was hit on the helmet while batting in the first ODI in Mumbai and was ruled out of the game in Rajkot.

“His recovery is being monitored and a call on his availability for the final ODI in Bengaluru will be taken accordingly,” said BCCI.

Dhawan hit on ribcage, doesn’t take the field

Opener Shikhar Dhawan joined the list of injured players after a Pat Cummins bouncer hit him on theribcage while batting in the second ODI between India and Australia.

“Dhawan got hit on the ribcage on his right side. He will not be taking the field. Yuzvendra Chahal is in as his substitute,” a BCCI media release stated on Friday. Dhawan was hit off the second delivery of the 10th over of the Indian innings.

He was in pain but carried on and scored 96 in India’s total of 340 for six. It is expected that Dhawan will be taken for a precautionary scan to detect if he has had a rib fracture, which could mean a lengthy break from the game.