Shankar, Gill to replace suspended players

SYDNEY: India Sunday called up all-rounder Vijay Shankar and batsman Shubman Gill for their Australia and New Zealand tours after KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya were ordered home in disgrace over comments made about women.

Rahul and Pandya were axed ahead of India’s opening One-Day International against Australia in Sydney on Saturday, which the tourists lost, pending an investigation into the comments made on a TV celebrity show.

“Vijay Shankar will join the team before the start of the 2nd ODI in Adelaide,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said, referring to Tuesday’s match.

“He will be a part of the squad for the ODI series in Australia and the tour to New Zealand. Shubman Gill has been picked for the ODI and Twenty20 series in New Zealand.”

Both players, who have apologised, have been suspended “from playing any form of cricket” pending an enquiry for misconduct and indiscipline.

With Pandya and Rahul missing, India crashed to a 34-run defeat in Sydney on Saturday despite a explosive century from Rohit Sharma.

The next game in the three-match series is a day-night contest in Adelaide on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, India’s Ambati Rayudu has been reported for a suspect bowling action in the first One-Day International against Australia, the International Cricket Council said Sunday. The part-time spinner’s action was flagged by match officials, citing concerns about its legality, after the match in Sydney.

“Rayudu’s bowling action will now be scrutinised further under the ICC process relating to suspected illegal bowling actions,” cricket’s world governing body said in a statement.