India pacer Kuldeep Sen was not available for selection for the second ODI against Bangladesh at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka on Wednesday (December 7).

Kuldeep, who had a stiff back, was replaced by Umran Malik in India’s playing XI for the penultimate ODI, which is a must-win game for the visitors to stay alive in the three-match series.

“Kuldeep Sen complained of back stiffness following the first ODI against Bangladesh on Sunday. The BCCI Medical Team assessed him and has advised him rest. He was not available for selection for the 2nd ODI,” BCCI said in an official statement.

Notably, Kuldeep Sen made his India debut in the series opener against Bangladesh on December 4 in Dhaka, which the hosts won by one wicket to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

In his maiden ODI appearance, the right-arm pacer returned with the figures of 2 for 37 in his five overs.

Besides Kuldeep, India made another change to their playing XI. Spin all-rounder Akshar Patel, who was not available for selection in the opening ODI due to a niggle, replaced Shahbaz Ahmed in the side.

Speaking at the toss, which Bangladesh won and elected to bat first, India skipper Rohit Sharma explained the changes in the team.

“We have to play good cricket and I hope bowling first now, we can restrict them to a decent score and bat well. We have two changes. Akshar Patel is back and he replaces Shahbaz Ahmed. Kuldeep Sen is not available for selection, so we have got Umran Malik in place of him,” said Rohit.

India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Washington Sundar, Akshar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik