The Indian cricket team confronts a challenging scenario as it prepares for the second Test against England at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Following a disheartening defeat in the first Test at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, the team has been dealt a significant blow with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and batter KL Rahul being ruled out of the upcoming game. This development adds to the team’s troubles as they already trail 0-1 in the series.
Jadeja’s hamstring injury and Rahul’s right quadriceps pain, sustained during the first Test, are major concerns for the Indian squad. The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) medical team is closely monitoring their progress. Follow your favourite cricket team with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.
The absence of these key players is a setback, especially considering their impressive performances in the first innings of the series opener, with Jadeja scoring 87 and Rahul 86, making them the top two scorers for India. Additionally, Jadeja’s contribution with the ball, picking five wickets, underlines the gap that now needs filling.
The Men’s selection committee has acted promptly by naming replacements. Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan, who has been in stellar form in domestic cricket, has finally earned his maiden call-up to the Indian team, ending his prolonged wait for national selection. His remarkable averages and consistent scoring in the Ranji Trophy make him a promising addition to the squad. Alongside Sarfaraz, spin all-rounder Washington Sundar and Uttar Pradesh’s left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar have been added to bolster the team’s composition.
Sarfaraz’s inclusion comes after a period of being overlooked by the selectors, despite his golden run in domestic cricket. His performances in the Ranji Trophy since the 2019-20 season have been exceptional, but he was notably passed over for the Test series against Australia in favor of Suryakumar Yadav. This selection could be the breakthrough moment Sarfaraz has been striving for.
The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, faces a formidable challenge in the upcoming Test. The absence of Jadeja and Rahul, coupled with Virat Kohli’s withdrawal from the first two Tests due to personal reasons, significantly impacts the team’s strength. The situation is exacerbated by India’s slip to fifth on the World Test Championship (WTC) table following their defeat in Hyderabad.
The updated Indian squad for the 2nd Test features a mix of experienced players and fresh faces, all of whom will need to step up to fill the void left by the absentees. The inclusion of Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, and Saurabh Kumar offers new options for the team management. Get free cricket updates only on Nextbet Sports.
The updated squad for India’s 2nd Test: 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.
