'Axar Patel or Mohammed Siraj' - Wasim Jaffer picks India's playing XI for 2nd Test vs Sri Lanka

The second Test between India and Sri Lanka is set to commence on March 12 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. It is a day-night game and will be played with the pink ball. The hosts are already leading the two-match series 1-0 after winning the opening Test in Mohali by an innings and 222 runs. However, even then, the Rohit Sharma-led side might make one change to the playing XI according to Wasim Jaffer.

Left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel has joined the squad after completely recovering from injury. Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav who filled in for him has also been released. Given the way, Axar has played in his short Test career so far, Jaffer reckons, he will return to the playing XI. The left-arm spinner has picked up 36 wickets in five Tests with five five-wicket hauls.

However, Jaffer also felt that India could be tempted to play Mohammed Siraj as it is a day-night Test match. Though he didn’t name who will miss out, it is most likely that Jayant Yadav will be left out of the playing XI.

“I think Axar Patel will walk back into the playing XI, but India will be tempted to look at Mohammad Siraj with the pink ball. So, the only debatable position is the eleventh position, whether it is Siraj or Axar, but most likely it would be Axar,” Jaffer said while speaking to ESPNCricinfo.

Sri Lanka has to bat big in the first innings, says Jaffer

Wasim Jaffer is also of the opinion that Sri Lanka missed out on the second spinner in the first Test and they should rectify that mistake in the final game. He also reckoned that the visitors will have to bat big in the first innings to have any chance of putting India under pressure.

“I think Sri Lanka should play a second spinner, they needed that in the first Test. So, we could easily see that happening. Sri Lanka need to bat big. That’s the easiest way they can get into a commanding position. If they score something close to 450, they can force something to happen. If India bat big, then I see no chance for Sri Lanka,” he added.

Wasim Jaffer’s India playing XI for 2nd Test vs Sri Lanka: Rohit Sharma (C), Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Axar Patel/Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami.