After a shocking drubbing in the first Test, Team India are likely to make a couple of changes for the 2nd Test starting from February 13 (Saturday). Ace all-rounder Axar Patel is likely to slot into the playing XI after recovering from injury and is likely to replace Shahbaz Nadeem, who was relatively ineffective in the opening game.
Incidentally, Axar was slated to make his debut in the series opener; however, an untimely injury on the eve of the Test match ruled him out. He sustained a knee injury and Shahbaz Nadeem walked into the side but hardly made any impact. Although he accounted for a couple of wickets but was less economical which released pressure on the English batsmen.
Axar Patel in line to make Test debut
However, now, Axar Patel has now attained full fitness and has also started batting at the nets. And now, he is all set to make his Test debut in the 2nd Test starting Saturday and will replace left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem, a PTI report suggests.
Also Read: 3 Changes Team India Should Make In The 2nd Test
Axar had a minor knee niggle and has already started batting at the nets. He is expected to start bowling during the next couple of days.
“He was always first choice to play the opening Test but it will depend on skipper Virat Kohli, head coach Ravi Shastri and bowling coach Bharath Arun,” a senior BCCI source told PTI on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, with the return of Axar Patel, another spinner Kuldeep Yadav is expected to make a return to the playing XI, who was a shocking absence in the first Test. Skipper Virat Kohli said he had no regrets in leaving out Kuldeep because the trio of Kuldeep with Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar would have been all similar kind taking the ball away from the left-hander.
