• Source:JND
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India vs Australia Border Gavaskar Trophy: Devdutt Padikkal, who was a part of India A for the two unofficial Test matches against Australia A earlier this month, is likely to stay in Australia as a back-up batter for India's senior squad for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy. 

According to a report in Cricbuzz, "the Indian team management, in consultation with the national selectors, has decided to retain the Karnataka batter as a backup for the senior team, which will compete in the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia over the next 50 days."

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India is facing a worrying injury concern ahead of the highly anticipated series against Australia. In a fresh dismay, star batter Shubman Gill sustained a thumb injury, casting doubts over his participation in the series opener at Optus Stadium on November 22. This news comes hot on the heels of KL Rahul's injury on Friday, further confusing India's team selection.

While captain Rohit Sharma, who stayed back in India for the birth of his second child, is very much unlikely to participate in the opening Test of the five-match Test series.

In the two-match unofficial Test series against Australia A, Padikkal showed his batting class scoring 36, 88, 26, and 1 in his four innings. Notably, Padikkal has already donned an Indian Test jersey, featuring in a match against England earlier this year.

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Further, the Cricbuzz report stated, "It has been learned that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has no immediate plans to send Mohammed Shami to Australia."

After a nearly year-long hiatus, Shami made a fiery comeback in competitive cricket, taking 7 wicket haul in a Ranji Trophy match between Bengal and Madhya Pradesh in Indore. Despite this promising comeback, team management is taking a cautious approach, opting to have him participate in a few more domestic matches to regain optimal form and fitness before considering his selection for the national team.