Ahead of second Test match against Sri Lanka, India released their left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav from the team to make space for another left-arm spinner Axar Patel who has been declared fully fit, as per BCCI sources.
Axar, who was subject to fitness for Sri Lanka series and was under observation has now attained full fitness will fancy his chance for the second Test which will be played from March 12 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
While announcing the India squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka on February 22, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had stated:
“Axar Patel is currently undergoing his rehab and is not available for selection for the first Test. He will be assessed later to ascertain his selection for the second Test.”
Meanwhile, Axar Patel will be making a comeback to the team after a long time as he has been out of action since the Mumbai Test against New Zealand.
At the time of announcing the squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, the BCCI had said Axar was expected to be fit for the second game.
Kuldeep last played a Test in February 2021.
Axar Patel missed the South Africa tour due to an injury and was diagnosed with Covid-19 for a second time ahead of the West Indies series. After he recovered, he was sent to the NCA for rehabilitation. As per latest information, he is fit and ready for selection.
Meanwhile, India completed a comprehensive innings and 222-run victory over Sri Lanka inside three days in the first Test to go 1-0 up in the two-match series on Sunday (March 6). All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja shone with the bat and ball as he snared nine wickets in the match to complement his 175 not out. India shot Sri Lanka out for 178 in 60 overs in their second innings after the visitors were asked to follow-on.
Sri Lanka had scored 174 in their first innings in reply to India's 574 for 8 declared. Premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who went past the legendary Kapil Dev's 434 Test scalps to become the second highest wicket-taker for India, also took four wickets in Sri Lanka's second innings while senior pacer Mohammed Shami got two.
Sri Lanka continued with their batting flop show as they did just a tad better than their first innings score with wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella top-scoring with 51 not out. Their best partnership was the 49-run stand for the fourth wicket between Angelo Mathews (28) and Dhananjaya de Silva (30).
India's Test squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Priyank Panchal, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), KS Bharat, Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, R. Ashwin (subject to fitness clearance), Axar Patel, Saurabh Kumar, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Mohd. Shami, Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain).
