Injured India quick Umesh Yadav is tracking well in his pursuit to be fit for the third Test, captain Ajinkya Rahane says.
Yadav departed the field with a calf injury during Australia's second innings of the Boxing Day Test after bowling just over three overs, and did not return.
In his player-of-the-match interview with Fox Cricket after leading India to a series-levelling victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Rahane said Yadav had made strong progress.
"Umesh is actually recovering well," Rahane said.
"Management and our medical staff will make the call. We have time before the third Test match."
Debutant paceman Mohammed Siraj replaced injured fast bowler Mohammed Shami for the MCG clash and finished the match with five scalps, including the key wickets of Cameron Green (twice), Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne.
If Yadav isn't selected for the third Test, India could turn to uncapped right-arm quick Navdeep Saini.
The 28-year-old took 3-19 in the first innings of the second tour match between an India XI and Australia A.
India could also make a change to their top six for the third Test, with superstar limited-overs batsman Rohit Sharma set to join the Test squad in Melbourne tomorrow.
The right-hander is closing in on the end of his 14-day isolation period in a Sydney hotel.
While Sharma, who suffered a hamstring injury in the Indian Premier League, passed a fitness test ahead of flying from India to Australia, the 33-year-old will likely have to again prove his fitness before being selected for the third Test.
"We are excited about Rohit coming back into the Test team," Rahane said.
"He is actually ready to come back and join the team.
"I spoke to him yesterday and he is really excited about it."
Sharma hasn't played a Test match since facing Bangladesh in Kolkata in November 2019.
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