In a huge blow to the Indian team, two key players Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul have been ruled out of the second Test against England due to injuries, the BCCI confirmed on Monday (January 29).
The selectors have drafted Saurabh Kumar, Washington Sundar and Sarfaraz Khan into the Indian squad for the second Test, slated to get underway on February 2 in Visakhapatnam.
Having lost the opening Test in Hyderabad by 28 runs, the hosts are currently trailing the five-match series 0-1 and will go into the second Test with almost an inexperienced side.
Ahead of the game, legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh has also expressed concerns over India’s revised squad, citing that it lacks experience.
"BCCI announced the team and shockingly both Jadeja and KL Rahul are not part of it. Both in-form cricketers are injured. We don't know about their return as well. Virat Kohli isn't there as well. His presence would have bolstered the Indian batting lineup. Shubman is out of form. Shreyas hasn't been among the runs. Both are class cricketers but haven't scored runs so far," Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.
"The team looks decent but lacks experience. Yes, there is Rohit Sharma, but the next best run-scorer is Ashwin. In terms of batting, the line-up looks weak. And if they play on a turning track, which I feel they will because they have added Washington Sundar while having Kuldeep Yadav, Ashwin and Akshar Patel," he added.
Harbhajan also issued a “turning track” warning for the home side considering the failure of the Indian batting unit in the opening Test, especially in the second innings.
"India should be careful that they don't fall into their own trap by preparing a turning track for the visitors. This batting unit is young, they need time, and if they get a good track, they might even perform well," he said.
Harbhajan said this series is going to be a big opportunity for Sarfaraz Khan, who averages a staggering 69.85 in first-class cricket with 3912 runs to his name after 45 matches.
"Sarafaraz's name was doing rounds for quite some time and finally he has been given the chance. He has been scoring runs and got a well-deserved call-up. He needs to grab the opportunity with both hands. If he is not able to perform, he will have to make way for Virat Kohli when King Kohli returns," he remarked.
India’s revised squad for second Test: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Akshar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, Saurabh Kumar
