Speedster Mohammed Siraj and right-hand batsman Hanuma Vihari have been released from India's squad for the ongoing Test series against West Indies, so as to be available for their respective domestic teams during the knock-out round of the premier list A tournament - Vijay Hazare Trophy - starting on Sunday, October 14.
In their places, Manish Pandey and Shubman Gill have been drafted in as substitutes for the remainder of Hyderabad Test.
Even if not getting to play in the main XI, just being considered to be part of the Indian dressing room will give a lot of confidence, especially to a promising youngster like Gill.
Siraj, who earned his maiden call on the back of some outstanding performances domestically as well for the 'A' side, couldn't make it to the side that featured premier fast bowlers Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav in Rajkot, before being overlooked for Shardul Thakur at the Uppal.
Vihari, another very fine talent who scored a very fine 56 at The Oval, had to warm the bench for the 2-match home series against West Indies.
Interestingly, Siraj and Vihari will be up against each other now, as Hyderabad lock horns with Andhra in a quarterfinal clash on October 15 at Bangalore.
Update: Mohammed Siraj & Hanuma Vihari have been released from the Test squad to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Knockouts. Manish Pandey and Shubman Gill have been drafted into the side as substitutes.
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 14, 2018
(Inputs from Cricbuzz)