Renuka Singh Ruled Out Of India vs Australia One-Off Test; Kashvee Gautam Named Replacement

Renuka Singh was rested for workload management ahead of India’s one-off Test against Australia, with Kashvee Gautam earning her maiden Test call-up.

India seamer Renuka Singh has been left out of the squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Australia, which begins on Friday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that the decision was taken as part of workload management, with right-arm medium pacer Kashvee Gautam drafted in as her replacement.

The BCCI clarified that Renuka has been advised to take a break to ensure better long-term fitness management.

Renuka has been advised rest “to better manage her workload”, the BCCI said in a statement. “The BCCI Medical Team will be closely monitoring Renuka’s fitness progress.”

Renuka has featured in three Tests for India, all played at home. She has taken two wickets in the format, both of which came during her debut match against England.

Kashvee Gautam Earns First Test Call-Up

Kashvee Gautam, who has represented India in six ODIs, is yet to make her Test debut. In the recent domestic multi-day tournament, she claimed four wickets in three matches. Among the seamers, only Sayali Satghare, who picked up six wickets in four games, had a better tally.

The upcoming day-night Test between India and Australia will be played at the WACA.

Gautam also impressed with the bat during the domestic competition. She scored an unbeaten 106 off 86 balls against an attack featuring Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud and N Shree Charani, among others. She ended the tournament as the tenth-highest run-scorer.

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Apart from Gautam, India’s pace-bowling options include Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare and Amanjot Kaur. None of them have played Test cricket so far.

India’s spin department consists of Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana and Vaishnavi Sharma.

India last toured Australia for a Test in 2021, when the match in Carrara ended in a draw. In 2023, India hosted Australia for a Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and secured their first-ever Test victory against Australia.

India Squad For Only Test vs Australia

Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal, Richa Ghosh (wk), Uma Chetry (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Sayali Satghare, Deepti Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Kashvee Gautam, Vaishnavi Sharma.