Picture Credit: BCCI
After a thumping victory in the first Test, Rohit Sharma and his men will walk into the second Test high on confidence. However, a few changes to the squad have been made ahead of the day-night Test in Bengaluru. Left-arm orthodox Axar Patel has replaced left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the 18-man squad.
As Patel has fully recovered from COVID-19 and had already joined the team bubble in Mohali, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) felt that there is no sense in having three left-arm spinners in the side. Also, at the time of announcing the squad for the two Tests on February 22, the BCCI had ascertained that "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." Apart from Patel and Jadeja, India also have R Ashwin and Jayant Yadav as slow-ball bowlers in their squad.
Axar Patel is making a return to the side after three months. He last featured for India in the Mumbai Test against New Zealand in December. Ever since donning the white jersey, Patel has become a different-level player. He already has 36 wickets in Tests including five 5-wicket hauls in five Tests. He averages below 12 and strikes every 34th ball.
A few support staff members also released
Apart from Kuldeep Yadav, a few supports staffs have also been released ahead of the Bengaluru Test. The second batting coach Apurva Desai, trainer Anand Date and physio Partho have also been asked to leave the team's bubble. However, Sairaj Bahutule has been asked to stay with the team.
Notably, after managing to beat Sri Lanka on the third day of the first Test itself, the Indian contingent is still in Mohali till Wednesday. After that the team will leave for Bengaluru for the second match which starts on 12 March.