(UTV | INDIA) – The Indian team management has released Kuldeep Yadav from the Test squad.
The decision follows Axar Patel attaining full fitness. The left-arm spinner has already joined the Indian squad in Mohali, where the first of the two Tests against Sri Lanka ended on Sunday (March 6).
Although Kuldeep (27) was not originally picked as a back-up for Axar (28), the team management believes there is no need for three left-arm spinners, with Ravindra Jadeja also a part of the team. Besides, the 18-member squad has two more spinners – R Ashwin and Jayant Yadav – in the team.
At the time of announcing the squad on February 22, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had stated that “Axar Patel is currently undergoing his rehab and is not available for selection for the first Test. He will be assessed later to ascertain his selection for the second Test.”
The Ahmedabad-based spinner has been out of action since the Mumbai Test against New Zealand in December. Now that he is available for selection for Bangalore Test, Kuldeep’s presence was not thought required.
India won the first Test against Sri Lanka in Mohali within three days. The squad, however, will continue to stay in Mohali till Wednesday, when they will fly to Bangalore, where the second and final Test starts on March 13.
Meanwhile, the team management has also released second batting coach Apurva Desai, trainer Anand Date and physio Partho but have, however, retained Sairaj Bahutule in the contingent. The former India spinner will continue to stay with the side for the second Test too.
The NCA staffers had gone to Mohali to assist the Test specialists ahead of the first Test while the Indian team was involved in the white ball series against the touring Lankans.
India’s Test squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Priyank Panchal, 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, Saurabh Kumar, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Mohd. Shami, Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain).