India's Mohammed Shami celebrates taking the wicket during the 2015 Cricket World Cup quarter-final match between India and Bangladesh at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on March 19, 2015. AFP PHOTO / MAL FAIRCLOUGH --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read MAL FAIRCLOUGH/AFP/Getty Images)

Australia are set to play a quick-fire three-match T20 series against India starting on Tuesday in the lead up to the World Cup, with young Tim David officially named in the Aussie squad, sources at ESPNCricinfo confirmed.

However as the Australians add in their new recruit to finalise their best team for the World Cup, hosts India will be without the services of veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami who has tested positive for Covid-19.

Reports from ESPNCricinfo revealed that Shami has not travelled to Mohali with the rest of the Indian team where the first T20 game will take place, forcing selectors to opt for Umesh Yadav to take his place for the series.

The selection of Yadav is an interesting one given that he has not played a T20 international for over two years, whilst Shami has only been out of the team since July although he has also not played a T20 international since November last year.

Yadav was also meant to undergo rehab for a quad injury in Bengaluru, which will now be delayed ensuring his availability for the T20 series against Australia.

Although his appearances on the international stage have been infrequent, Umesh Yadav was a consistent performer in the IPL and was considered among the best bowlers in the powerplay overs last season.

Typically, the initial six-over powerplay is often when batters are looking to be their most aggressive in terms of scoring runs due to the restricted field, however in IPL season 14 Yadav was prolific, taking 16 wickets for the tournament at an economy rate of 7.06.

He has some more recent domestic white-ball form behind him coming into this bilateral series against Australia, having also topped the bowling charts for Middlesex in the Royal London One-Day Cup.

Shami’s omission from this series has been considered a huge blow for India, given his fast bowling experience on their typically spin-friendly wickets. In the IPL he collected an astonishing 20 wickets in 16 matches for the Gujarat Titans, prompting the Indian selectors to keep him on standby for the World Cup.

India are also no stranger to seeing their team members and even coaching staff going down with Covid-19. ESPNCricinfo reported that just before the Asia Cup, their head coach Rahul Dravid was diagnosed with the virus and had to delay his travel to the UAE. He was reported to have only mild symptoms and was eventually able to link back up with the team after their opening game against Pakistan.

Australia’s three-match T20 series against India starts on Tuesday 20th September with games to played in Mohali, Nagpur and Hyderabad.