The Indian squad management releases the spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, from the Test squad. They made this decision on the basis of Axar Patel achieving full fitness. Kuldeep Yadav has already joined the Indian squad in Mohali, where the first of two Tests against Sri Lanka finished on Sunday.
Kuldeep Yadav was not picked originally as a back-up for Axar Patel, the squad management believes that there is no room for three left-arm spinners, with Ravindra Jadeja also a part of the team. The 18-member squad has two more spinners, R Ashwin and Jayant Yadav.
The BCCI’s statement on Kuldeep Yadav release
During the squad announcement on Feb 22, the Board of Control for Cricket in India stated that Axar Patel is under rehabilitation and is unavailable for selection for the first Test. He will be assessed later to make sure of his selection for the second Test. But now it seems like the situation is now changed and Kuldeep Yadav is now released to fit Axar Patel into the team since his full fitness revival.
The Ahmedabad-based spinner did not appear in any of the matches since the Mumbai test against New Zealand in December. Kuldeep Yadav’s presence is not required as Axar Patel is back.
India vs Sri Lanka series
India won the first Test in Mohali against Sri Lanka in three days. The squad will remain in Mohali till Wednesday until they fly out to Bangalore, where the second and final Test is on March 13.
Meanwhile, apart from Kuldeep Yadav, the squad management has also released the second batting coach Apurva Desai, Anand Date the trainer, and Partho the physio. However, the management has retained Sairaj Bahutule. The former Indian spinner will stay on the side for the second Test as well.
The National Cricket Academy has gone to Mohali to assist the Test specialists before the first Test while the Indian squad was involved in the white-ball series against the visiting Lankans.
India’s Test Squad
Rohit Sharma (captain), Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubhman Gill, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), KS Bharat, Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, R. Ashwin (subject to fitness clearance), Axar Patel, Priyank Panchal Saurabh Kumar, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Mohd. Shami, Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain).
