Former cricketer Wasim Jaffer believes India might make one change in their playing XI for the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will host the final game of the series, starting March 12 (Saturday) with 100% capacity.
Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Axar Patel has joined the squad ahead of the 2nd Test in place of Kuldeep Yadav, who was released from the squad. Jaffer believes Axar will slot into the playing XI, given his superlative record in a short Test career.
Wasim Jaffer feels Mohammed Siraj can also get a nod ahead considering it will be played under the lights. Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, the former India opener said:
“I think Axar Patel will walk back into the playing XI, but India will be tempted to look at Mohammad Siraj with the pink ball. So, the only debatable position is the eleventh position, whether it is Siraj or Axar, but most likely it would be Axar.”
The left-arm spinner from Gujarat has scalped 36 wickets in 5 Tests and has gone from strength to strength. It will be interesting to see how the management goes about their business in picking the playing XI.
Wasim Jaffer’s India playing XI for 2nd Test vs Sri Lanka: Rohit Sharma (C), Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Axar Patel/Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami.
Sri Lanka should play a second spinner – Wasim Jaffer
Speaking about Sri Lanka, Wasim Jaffer believes the Islanders should play an extra spinner alongside Lasith Embuldeniya.
“I think Sri Lanka should play a second spinner, they needed that in the first Test. So, we could easily see that happening. Sri Lanka need to bat big. That’s the easiest way they can get into a commanding position. If they score something close to 450, they can force something to happen. If India bat big, then I see no chance for Sri Lanka,” he added.
Get the latest cricket news here and like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
