India drop Laxman, Kaif for second Test

Sreesanth, who is recovering from influenza, has also been left out.

India have dropped batsmen Vangipurappu Laxman and Mohammad Kaif in three changes for the second Test against England starting on Thursday.

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Paceman Shantakumaran Sreesanth, who is recovering from influenza, has also been left out of the 12, an Indian cricket official said on Wednesday. The first Test was drawn.

Seamer Munaf Patel, 22, looks set for his international debut after capturing 10 wickets in the tourists' eight-wicket defeat in a three-day tour game.

Left-arm paceman Rudra Pratap Singh or Piyush Chawla, an uncapped 17-year-old leg-spinner, could also play.

Squad (from): Rahul Dravid (captain), Virender Sehwag, Wasim Jaffer, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Rudra Pratap Singh, Piyush Chawla.