Akshar Patel Replaces Kuldeep Yadav for 2nd Test Against Sri Lanka
- BCCI made the announcement on Tuesday.
- Kuldeep is ruled out after he failed to showcase skills in first Test against SL.
- Team India to lock horns with Sri Lanka for second test in Bangalore on March 12th.
Akshar Patel has been included in the squad for the second last series of the Test against Sri Lanka in Bangalore from March 12th. “The All-India Senior Selection Committee has added Akshar Patel to India’s squad for the second Paytm Test to be played from 12-16th March in Bengaluru. The all-rounder has completed his rehab and has been cleared by the BCCI Medical Team,” said the top cricket body in a media release considering him as the apt replacement for Kuldeep Yadav.
Kuldeep has featured in only a handful of matches for India over the last couple of years and had undergone surgery last year. But since he did not get a game against Sri Lanka in the first Test, with Jayant Yadav getting the nod ahead of him, the future looks a bit uncertain for Kuldeep.
The left-arm spinner has had a tremendous start to his Test career, bagging 36 wickets from just five Tests at a stunning average of 11.86. In India’s last pink-ball Test at home against England in Ahmedabad last year – Akshar had registered a match-haul of 11/70. His effort helped India decimate England in only two days. He was subsequently ruled out after the first Test against New Zealand, due to a shin injury.
Men in blue won the first Test in Mohali by an inning and 222 runs. The match that marked a milestone for the former captain Kohli came as dismal as he failed to touch a century. However, he still looks to end his century drought when the team lock horns in Bangalore.
