- By Ankit Bisht
- Fri, 02 Feb 2024 01:09 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India pacer Mohammed Siraj has been rested for the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam on Friday to manage his workload for the remainder of the series.
Mukesh Kumar replaced Siraj in India's playing 11 while Rajat Patidar made his Test debut in place of the injured KL Rahul. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav comes in for Ravindra Jadeja, who missed the match due to a hamstring injury.
In Siraj's absence, pacer Avesh Khan has rejoined India's squad after being released to play the Ranji Trophy match during the first Test in Hyderabad.
"Mohd. Siraj has been released from the India squad for the second Test against England in Vizag. The decision was taken keeping in mind the duration of the series and the amount of cricket he has played in recent times," the BCCI said in a statement.
"He will be available for selection for the third Test in Rajkot. Avesh Khan has re-joined the team for the 2nd Test," it added.
India skipper Rohit Sharma added that Siraj will spend time with his family before returning for the third Test against England in Rajkot.
"Siraj has been rested so that he can spend some time at home before he comes back and is available for the third Test," he said at the toss.
Earlier, India won the toss and opted to bat first as the hosts made three changes in their playing 11.
On the other hand, England handed the debut cap to Shoaib Bashir while James Anderson replaced Mark Wood for the second Test of the series.
India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Shreyas Iyer, Srikar Bharat(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mukesh Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav.
England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes(c), Ben Foakes(w), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir and James Anderson.
England are leading the five-match series 1-0 after winning the series opener by 28 runs last week.
