Colossal blow to India, two in-form players ruled out of second Test; Sarfaraz Khan receives maiden call-up

IND vs ENG 2nd Test: India will be without the services of their experienced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul for the Test which is scheduled to begin on February 2.

Arun Rawal

• Mon • 29 Jan 2024

Ravindra Jadeja celebrates a wicket with his teammates during Hyderabad Test (Getty Images)

Highlights:

Two forced changes in the playing XI are expected after Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul have been ruled out for the second Test.

In-form Sarfaraz Khan who scored a century against England Lions has received his maiden callup.

After a 28-run loss in Hyderabad, India have been dealt with a massive blow ahead of the second Test. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and middle-order batter KL Rahul have been ruled out of the second Test.

Jadeja sustained a hamstring injury on Day 4. He was hit by Ben Stokes' direct hit. Rahul complained of pain in his right quadriceps and has been rested as a precautionary measure.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is currently monitoring the two players.

Meanwhile, three players have been added to India’s squad for the second Test. Sarfaraz Khan has received his maiden call-up after consistent performances in domestic cricket and for India A.

All-rounder Washington Sundar and left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar have been added to the squad. They were a part of India A’s squad in the ongoing unofficial Test series against England Lions.

Saransh Jain has been named Sundar's replacement in the India A squad. India A will take on England Lions in the final unofficial Test starting February 1 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

Sarfaraz has been in fine form of late. He scored 161 against the England Lions in the unofficial Test. In the first game, he scored a half-century in the second innings after a single-digit score. The 26-year-old has scored 3,912 runs from 45 first-class games at an average of 69.85. He has 14 centuries and 11 half-centuries to his name so far.

Sundar will be playing his first Test since March 2021 if he gets a chance in the second Test. He was a part of India's win in Ahmedabad against England. From four Test appearances, he has six wickets and 265 runs including three half-centuries. His batting average in Tests is 66.25.

Saurabh, the left-arm spinner had received his maiden call-up for the Sri Lanka Test series but did not get to make his debut. He has 290 wickets from 68 first-class games including 22 fifers. He is handy with the bat down the order as well. He has scored 2,061 runs from 86 innings at an average of 27.11. He has scored two centuries and 12 half-centuries.

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