Dinesh Karthik backs spinner Axar Patel to play for India in the second Test against Sri Lanka with the hosts having to choose between Jayant Yadav and Mohammed Siraj based on the conditions. Axar had tested positive for Covid-19 because of which he could not play in the first Test but he has been included in the squad for the second, which starts on Friday in Bengaluru.
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The match will also be a day-night affair, the third to be hosted in India, and will be played with a pink ball.
“For sure it will be a straight swap for me, Mohammed Siraj will be in the eleven if there is any inclination of there being something in it for the fast bowlers. And I think if Axar is fit, he is a straight swap for Jayant Yadav. If it is a wicket that aids spin then Jayant Yadav and if it is going to assist pace, for sure Mohammed Siraj,” said Karthik on Cricbuzz.
"There would be a lot more for the fast bowlers. All over the world and even here in India we have seen that if they leave a bit of grass, it does a lot.
"So in Bengaluru there will be a lot for the medium pacers if they do give it a little bit of grass. Sometimes I have played in that ground where, in Ranji Trophy, the first hour in many ways is an unplayable hour and after that the wicket tends to get slower and lower," said Karthik.
“Bengaluru hasn't hosted a match for some time so it would be interesting to see what kind of wicket they give.”
The pink ball Test marks the first time that a long form international game will be played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium since 2018. India's one-off Test against Afghanistan, who were making their debut in red-ball cricket, in June 2018 was the last Test match to be played at the venue.