MS Dhoni will miss first Test, Bhuvneshwar likely to miss two matches

Virat Kohli will be leading India in the Adelaide Test. © kareem

It was confirmed that MS Dhoni will miss the first Test against Australia in Adelaide, starting on December 9th, as he has not fully recovered from a thumb injury. Virat Kohli is set to lead India for the first time in the five-day format.

Dhoni attended the training session on Sunday and did not show any signs of discomfort. However, the Indian team management does not want to take any chance, giving the 33-year-old wicket-keeper batsman more time recuperate from his injury.

Meanwhile, India are likely to be without the services of Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the first Tests as the seam bowler is struggling with an ankle injury. The 24-year-old, who was the highest wicket-taker for India in the Test series against England, missed the training session and a statement from the team management followed, stating that he "is recovering from his left ankle pain and he could be available for first Test selection."

However, there are reports claiming that Bhuvneshwar, who was named the Indian Cricketer of the Year last month, could miss both the first and the second Test. In fact, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had considered withdrawing Bhuvneshwar from the squad, but decided against it as they felt it would be better if he was monitored by the Indian team's physiotherapists in Australia.

According to reports, the Indian team management has been instructed not to rush Bhuvneshwar back into action as the seamer will have key role to play in the tri-series that follows the Test series and the World Cup after that.

In the absence of Bhuvneshwar, India are likely to field a three-man pace-attack consisting of Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Varun Aaron while Umesh Yadav is another option available for the visitors.