Cricket: Axar Patel added to India squad for day-night Test against Sri Lanka

All-rounder Axar Patel has been added to India’s squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka to be played from March 12-16 in Bengaluru.

The all-rounder has completed his rehab and has been cleared by the BCCI medical team for the day-night Test.

Axar is likely to slot straight into the XI in Jayant Yadav’s place if India persist with a three-spinner attack, given his outstanding record over his first five Tests, in which he has picked up 36 wickets at an average of 11.86.

Meanwhile, the BCCI also said that Kuldeep Yadav has been released from the squad for the second Test.

Kuldeep did not feature in the first Test in Mohali, with India preferring Jayant Yadav as their third spinner. Jayant went wicketless in both innings, while his spin partners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja dominated the match with a combined 15 wickets.