In a significant setback for Team India, the upcoming second Test against England in Vizag will see the absence of key players KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja.
Both players have been ruled out due to injury concerns, necessitating adjustments in the Indian squad for the crucial encounter.
Jadeja sustained a hamstring injury during the fourth day of the first Test in Hyderabad. The dynamic left-hander, who played a crucial role in both batting and bowling departments, will be dearly missed by the Indian team.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul, a versatile batsman, complained of right quadriceps pain, further depleting India’s batting resources.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Medical Team is closely monitoring the progress of Jadeja and Rahul, and their availability for subsequent matches in the series will depend on their recovery timelines.
In response to these setbacks, the Men’s Selection Committee has acted quickly to make changes to the squad. Sarfaraz Khan, known for his aggressive batting and ability to anchor an innings, has been included in the squad to provide additional depth and options.
Sarfaraz, who has been in good form in domestic cricket, could play a crucial role in bolstering India’s batting lineup.
Recently, during an intra-squad practice match in Pretoria, Sarfaraz Khan captured the attention with an incredible century off just 61 balls.
Joining Sarfaraz Khan, Sourabh Kumar, a promising all-rounder, and Washington Sundar, a talented spin-bowling all-rounder, have also been added to the squad.
This strategic move aims to ensure that the team maintains a balance of both batting and bowling prowess.
In a parallel development, Saransh Jain has been named as a replacement for Washington Sundar in the India A squad.
Jain will feature in the third and final multi-day game against England Lions, providing him with an opportunity to showcase his skills at the international level.
While Avesh Khan, who has been performing impressively in domestic cricket, continues to travel with his Ranji Trophy team, Madhya Pradesh, he remains on standby, ready to join the Test squad if required.
The adjustments in the squad reflect the team management’s commitment to adaptability and resilience in the face of unexpected challenges.
India’s updated Squad for 2nd Test vs England:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, Sourabh Kumar.
Also Read: IND vs ENG: 3 Players That Team India Needs To Replace For The 2nd Test Match