India Playing XI 2nd Test: Axar Patel returns – Jayant Yadav who failed to impress in the first test was dropped from the squad while Axar Patel replaced him in the starting XI. Mohammed Siraj also missed out as the spin-friendly Bengaluru pitch demanded India went with three spinners. Follow IND vs SL live updates on InsideSport.IN.
Patel returns from a long injury layoff, having last played against New Zealand in November. The left-arm spinner replaces Jayant Yadav, who was the weakest link in the side, as India clinched an innings and 222-run win in Mohali.
India Playing XI 2nd Test: Axar Patel replaces Jayant Yadav in PINK-BALL Test, no place for Mohammed Siraj
India Playing XI For 2nd Test: Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma(c), Hanuma Vihari, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
Though both head coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma are firm believers in continuity, the dynamics of the team combination change with the pink SG Test ball coming into the picture changed with the inclusion of Axar Patel in the squad. It was quite surprising to see India relying heavily on spinners and opting for a pace duo of Bumrah and Shami in a pitch that has quite a bit of grass in it.
India Playing XI 2nd Test: Axar Patel replaces Jayant Yadav in PINK-BALL Test, no place for Mohammed Siraj
India cannot afford to lose even one among the next 9 Tests in the World Test Championship cycle. Mohammed Siraj, currently India’s fastest bowler at the international level, has the potential to cause real problems on the Bengaluru track with his skiddy deliveries, failed to take his place in the squad in what appears to be a gamble in opting for a spinner in place of a pacer in the lineup.
Siraj had shown against New Zealand in Mumbai that he can hurry the batters for pace and one sharp opening spell can completely dismantle the opposition. However, India opted to go for three spinners and the pace duo of Shami-Bumrah. Axar Patel came in to replace Jayant Yadav.
- Jayant Yadav bowled a total of 17 wicket-less overs across two innings in the first Test.
- Pacers are likely to have the upper hand with the SG pink ball.
- Indian opted for the pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.
- Axar Patel replaced Yadav for the 2nd test in Bengaluru.
India Playing XI 2nd Test: Axar Patel replaces Jayant Yadav in PINK-BALL Test, no place for Mohammed Siraj
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