India vs Sri Lanka: Axar Patel added to squad ahead of 2nd Test, Kuldeep Yadav released
India Today
India vs Sri Lanka: Left-arm spinner Axar Patel has replaced chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav in the Indian squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Tuesday that left-arm spinner Axar Patel is fit and has been added to the Indian squad ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka, scheduled to start on March 12 in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, BCCI released the chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav from the Indian Test squad.
"Akshar added to India’s squad for 2nd Test. The all-rounder has completed his rehab and has been cleared by the BCCI Medical Team. Kuldeep Yadav has been released from the squad for the second Test," BCCI released a statement.
NEWS - @akshar2026 added to India’s squad for 2nd Test.The all-rounder has completed his rehab and has been cleared by the BCCI Medical Team.Kuldeep Yadav has been released from the squad for the second Test.More details here - https://t.co/R7W1t3OVQA @Paytm #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/IRikje0onc
Axar Patel's last international outing came against New Zealand at home last year. He took 9 wickets in 2 matches against the Tom Latham-led side before he picked up the injury.
Axar, who made his debut in the second Test against England, had a great start to his Test career after he followed a five-wicket haul in his debut match with two more successive ones in the two innings in the Pink-ball Test at Ahmedabad.
It will be interesting to see if Axar will get a game in Bengaluru as India and Sri Lanka will look to make use of the conditions in the pink-ball Test. With R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja certain to start, India might look to beef up the pace attack for the 2nd Test.
India defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs in the first Test in Mohali as Rohit Sharma began his captaincy stint on a winning note. India rode on Ravindra Jadeja's 175 and a spin-bowling masterclass from the all-rounder and R Ashwin to complete the victory inside 3 days.
