Fit-again all-rounder Axar Patel, who was recovering from a shin injury that had forced him to miss the South Africa tour and the T20 series against West Indies, returned to the Indian set-up as he replaced Kuldeep Yadav for the second Test against Sri Lanka, beginning Saturday.
Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep has had his fair share of struggles since the past couple of years, keeping him out of the playing mix for a long stretch. He last played a Test for India back in February 2021.
The Indian team management has released Kuldeep from the squad and either Axar or Mohammed Siraj could replace Jayant Yadav in the playing XI. But what lies ahead for Kuldeep? Vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah has clarified that the management hasn't removed the chinaman bowler from the team and he's been released due to the "mental aspect".
"We have not removed him (Kuldeep Yadav) from the team. He has been in the bubble for along time and hence he has been released. Staying in a bubble is not easy. The mental aspect is important," said Bumrah in the presser ahead of the second Test.
{{/usCountry}}"We have not removed him (Kuldeep Yadav) from the team. He has been in the bubble for along time and hence he has been released. Staying in a bubble is not easy. The mental aspect is important," said Bumrah in the presser ahead of the second Test.
{{/usCountry}}Bumrah also heaped praise on Axar, saying the all-rounder adds a lot of value with his return to the squad. Axar in his last Pink ball Test had wreaked havoc with his undercutters in Ahmedabad against England, taking 11 wickets in that contest. He even opened the attack in the second England innings.
"Axar Patel has added a lot of value whenever he has played, has contributed a lot and offers a lot in all departments. He was injured but he jumps straight back in when he's fit. We'll discuss our combination but of course he's valuable," Bumrah further said.
The Bengaluru Test will be the fourth Day-Night Test for both India and Sri Lanka, and both share similar record of two wins and a defeat each. It will also be the last Test match on home soil for India in 2022. The team next will travel to Bangladesh for a two-match series and then Australia will arrive for a four-Test series in 2023.