India vs Sri Lanka: Kuldeep Yadav released from Test squad, fit-again Axar Patel to be added for 2nd Test

India vs Sri Lanka: Fit-again Axar Patel is likely to be added to the Indian squad for the 2nd Test, starting March 12 in Bengaluru.

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been released from India's Test squad for the 2nd match of the ongoing series against Sri Lanka, starting March 10. Kuldeep was named in the 18-man squad but he did not make it to the playing XI in the first Test in Mohali despite India playing 3 spinners.

Kuldeep Yadav was added to the Test squad along with Bihar left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar after Axar Patel was not available due to a shin injury that also kept him out of the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka and the West Indies and the entire tour of South Africa.

However, Axar Patel has regained full fitness and is likely to be added to the Test squad for the pink-ball fixture against Sri Lanka, BCCI sources said.

Axar Patel last played against New Zealand at home last year. He picked up 9 wickets across 2 matches against the Black Caps before he picked up the injury.

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 hammered 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.