IND vs SL: Axar Patel joins Team India squad ahead of 2nd Test, Kuldeep Yadav released

The Indian cricket team has released left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav from the Test squad. This is because of the fact that Axar Patel is now completely fit and has joined the squad.

When the Indian squad was initially picked 2 weeks ago, the Indian team had stated that Axar Patel is on rehab and will not be available for the 1st Test match between India and Sri Lanka that will take place in Mohali.

“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,” the BCCI had said as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Kuldeep Yadav last played a Test match for India last year

Kuldeep Yadav last featured in a Test match for the Indian side in February 2021. The left-arm spinner has featured in 7 Test matches for the Indian side and has taken 26 wickets at an average of 23.85. Kuldeep has also scalped 2 five-wicket hauls in Test match cricket.

The Indian side dished out a dominating performance in the 1st Test against Sri Lanka. The Rohit Sharma-led side pummelled their opposition by an innings and 222 runs in Mohali. Ravindra Jadeja won the Player of the Match award for scoring 175 runs and also scalping a total of 9 wickets in the match. Sri Lanka need to compulsorily win the 2nd Test to draw the two-match rubber. The second Test match between India and Sri Lanka will commence on 12th March 2022 in the city of Bangalore. It will be a Day-Night Test match.

Here is India’s complete squad for the 2nd Test match against Sri Lanka

Rohit Sharma (C), Priyank Panchal, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant (WK), KS Bharat, Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, R. Ashwin (subject to fitness clearance), Axar Patel, Saurabh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed. Shami, Jasprit Bumrah (VC)