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Indian pacers Ishant Sharma and Varun Aaron arrived late at the Gabba on the fourth morning of the second Test against Australia even as their teammates were dramatically collapsing out in the middle, according to a report.
A report in the Herald Sun claimed that Ishant and Aaron were among those who reached the Gabba late on the fourth morning on what proved to be the final day of the Test, which India lost by four wickets to concede a 0-2 lead to the Australians in the four-match series.
"It's now emerged there were Indian lower order players not even at the ground when wickets started falling, only adding to the shambolic nature of proceedings for India as they desperately tried to stem the tide," the report said.
"It's understood the most recognizable bowler in the team, Sharma was one of those players who arrived late, along with fellow quick Aaron," it added.
The Indian team management, according to the newspaper, has, however, denied that Ishant and Aaron were among those who arrived late on that day (December 20).
"However, India say the tardy bowlers who missed the start of the day were not part of the Test XI and had been delayed after completing a swimming session," the newspaper said. The dramatic fourth day saw Indian batsmen collapsing to suffer a four-wicket defeat.
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni later said that there was "unrest" in the visiting dressing room after overnight unbeaten batsman Shikhar Dhawan backed off from resuming batting due to an injury he suffered on his right wrist during net practice just before play.
Dhawan apparently revealed the extent of his discomfort just before the day's play was to start and the Indians had to send Virat Kohli ahead of him, but the vice-captain was informed of the change less than seven minutes before the visitors took the field.
The Indian team management also issued a statement that the practice wickets were not up to the standard.
Image: Ishant Sharma
Photo: Getty Images