Axar returns to India squad for second Test in Bengaluru

Fit-again all-rounder Axar Patel has replaced left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav for India’s second Test against Sri Lanka, beginning here on Saturday. The Indian team management has released Kuldeep from the squad. Axar had been recovering from a shin injury that had forced him to miss the South Africa tour and the T20 series against West Indies. He had also tested positive for COVID-19 recently.

India’s Test squad for 2nd match vs Sri Lanka: Rohit Sharma (captain), Priyank Panchal, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), KS Bharat, Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, R. Ashwin (subject to fitness clearance), Axar Patel, Saurabh Kumar, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Mohd. Shami, Jasprit Bumrah (vicecaptain).