Team India pacer Renuka Singh Thakur has been ruled out of the upcoming one-off Test against Australia at the WACA Ground in Perth due to workload management, the BCCI confirmed in a release. She has been advised rest, creating an opening for Kashvee Gautam, who has been named as her replacement in the squad.

Thakur, a key figure in Indias white-ball campaigns, was part of both the T20I and ODI squads during the ongoing multi-format series Down Under. She claimed four wickets across three T20Is but managed only one wicket in two ODIs, missing the second match. Since her Test debut in December 2023, Thakur has played three Tests, all at home, picking up just two wickets at an average of 90.50.

Her absence leaves Indias pace attack for the pink-ball Test relatively inexperienced. None of the available fast-bowling optionsKashvee Gautam, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, and Amanjot Kaurhave Test caps, raising questions about how the team will handle the potent Australian batting lineup on a typically fast and bouncy Perth surface.

Kashvee Gautam, however, brings some confidence from the ongoing tour. She featured in all three ODIs, picking up three wickets at an average of 54 while also contributing 68 valuable runs lower down the order. Her all-round ability could prove crucial in bolstering the squads balance.

India is set to face Australia in the one-off Day-Night Test starting Friday, March 6. With Australia leading the multi-format series 8-4 on points, India must win the Test to square the account, as the victory carries four crucial points.

This selection change underscores the BCCIs increasing focus on player workload, especially with the packed international calendar. While Thakurs experience will be missed, it opens an opportunity for new talent to step up on one of crickets most challenging stages.