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Axar Patel-Mohammed Siraj (Image credits- Twitter)
Axar Patel, the left-arm all-rounder, is back into the Indian squad after completely recovering from an injury. Kuldeep Yadav, who was in the squad for the first Test match against Sri Lanka, has been released from the squad for the final Test. Wasim Jaffer has now opined on what the Indian playing XI could look like in the second match.
Jaffer made it clear that India would only go for one change in the match and that there are two contenders for the spot. Axar Patel and Mohammed Siraj are the two players that India has to choose from, Jaffer said. The 44-year old, however, did not name who will miss out on the XI. Jayant Yadav is the most likely candidate to miss out though.
"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," said Jaffer as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Axar Patel has been very impressive for India at home, picking 36 wickets in five matches. These wickets also include five five-wicket hauls for the left-arm orthodox bowler. However, given that it's a Day-Night match, India may be tempted to play an extra seamer in Mohammed Siraj. Meanwhile, India pacer Jasprit Bumrah also backed Axar Patel to play in the second Test.
Meanwhile, Wasim Jaffer believes that Sri Lanka missed out on the second spinner in the first Test, and they should make amends in the coming game. He also believes that the visitors would need to bat boldly in the first innings if they are to stand a chance in the match.
"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 needs 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 said.