Team India Faces Selection Dilemma as KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja Ruled Out for Second Test
Debut for Rajat Patidar, Potential Batting Woes, and Bowling Changes in Focus
After KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were ruled out of the second Test against England, which begins in Visakhapatnam on Friday, Rajat Patidar is expected to make his debut.
In an attempt to avoid being run out on the fourth day of the Hyderabad Test, Jadeja strained his hamstring, while Rahul reported experiencing soreness in his right quadriceps. The BCCI released a statement announcing the addition of all-rounder Washington Sundar, left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar, and middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan to the Indian team.
India's batting, which is already having difficulty without Virat Kohli, would suffer greatly from the loss of Rahul and Jadeja.
Though the team's trip to Visakhapatnam is scheduled for Tuesday, discussions have already begun over bolstering the batting. India's issues have been made worse by Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer's repeated failures. Once the regulars return, any strong showing by the newcomers might mean an end to Gill and Shreyas.
Patidar will replace Rahul in the team, although it's possible to play an extra batter and give Sarfaraz his first Test cap. Under such conditions, India would have to rely only on Jasprit Bumrah, their specialty pacer.
It remains to be seen whether the pitch for the second Test proves to be comparable to the ones used in the previous home series against Australia, although it is predicted to be another turner.
To increase the diversity of the assault, Kuldeep Yadav, a left-arm wrist spinner, is the preferred choice to replace Jadeja. Kuldeep has a stellar record in eight Test matches, taking 34 wickets at an average of 21.55.
Jadeja is anticipated to be available starting with the third Test. After he underwent scans on Sunday night, the decision was made after consulting the Mumbai-based medical experts of the BCCI.
Sarfaraz is coming off of an explosive 160-ball 161 against the England Lions in last week's second unofficial Test. With five wickets in that innings, Saurabh contributed significantly to the win as well.
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