In a significant setback for the Indian cricket team, the upcoming second Test against England in Visakhapatnam will be played without the contributions of two key players.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and batter KL Rahul have been ruled out due to injuries, with Jadeja nursing a hamstring issue and Rahul grappling with discomfort in his right quadriceps.
To address this challenge, the Indian team management has made strategic changes to the squad, introducing three talented players who have recently showcased their prowess in the ongoing series between India A and England Lions.
The revised lineup now boasts the inclusion of batter Sarfaraz Khan, all-rounder Washington Sundar, and left-arm spinner Sourabh Kumar.
Sarfaraz and Sourabh left an indelible mark in the second unofficial Test, where Sarfaraz’s impressive innings saw him score 161 runs off 160 balls, and Sourabh’s stellar performance led to a five-wicket haul in the second innings.
Both players, yet to make their international debut, find themselves on the cusp of a significant opportunity to contribute to the national side.
Sarfaraz’s dominance in the domestic circuit is evident from his impressive record of accumulating 3912 runs in 45 first-class matches, featuring 14 centuries and 11 fifties, with a high score of 301*.
On the other hand, Sourabh, who represents Uttar Pradesh, has notched up 290 wickets in 68 first-class games and is known for his handy batting skills.
The Indian cricket team, under the leadership of captain Rohit Sharma, is eager to bounce back following a 28-run loss in the first Test against England.
The first Test witnessed stellar performances from spinner Tom Hartley and Ollie Pope’s batting heroics, contributing to England’s victory.
As the team prepares for the second Test of the five-match series, scheduled to commence on 2 February in Visakhapatnam, the updated squad for India includes a formidable lineup: 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, and Sourabh Kumar.
