India vs Sri Lanka: Match-fit Axar Patel jumps straight back in the team, says vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah

Calling the all-rounder a valuable asset to the team, Indian Test vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah stated that a match-fit Axar Patel is an automatic pick in any team.

Indian Test vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah on Friday said that match-fit Axar Patel jumps straight back into the side as he adds value not just with the bat and the ball, but in the field as well. Bumrah heaped rich praise on Axar, saying that the all-rounder adds a lot of value with his return to the squad.

Fit-again all-rounder Axar, who recovered from a shin injury after missing the South Africa tour and the T20I series against West Indies, returned to the Indian line-up as he replaced Kuldeep Yadav for the second Test against Sri Lanka, beginning Saturday.

"Axar Patel has added a lot of value whenever he has played, has contributed a lot and offers a lot in all departments," Bumrah told reporters during the pre-match presser on Friday.

"He was injured but he jumps straight back in when he's fit. We'll discuss our combination but of course he's valuable," Bumrah added.

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.