IND vs SL | Axar Patel replaces Kuldeep Yadav for Pink-ball Test

The Indian Team management has released left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav from the squad ahead of the pink-ball Test against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru.

The development comes after left-arm orthodox Axar Patel attained full fitness. Patel, who has been out of action since the Mumbai Test against New Zealand back in December, has already joined the India squad ahead of the second Test.

While announcing the Test squad on February 22, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had revealed that, "Axar Patel is currently undergoing his rehab and is not available for selection for the first Test. He will be assessed later to ascertain his selection for the second Test."

Axar will directly slot in the starting XI at the expense of Jayant Yadav, who had another ordinary outing in Mohali.

On a surface where the duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja ran through Sri Lanka's batting-unit in both innings, Jayant didn't manage a single wicket.

India won the Mohali Test by a comprehensive margin by an innings & 222 runs inside three days. Jadeja had a memorable outing as he smashed an unbeaten 175 before claiming nine wickets across two innings.

Ashwin also had a memorable game as he leapfrogged the legendary Kapil Dev to become the 2nd highest wicket-taker for his country in the longest format.

Meanwhile, India have also released NCA staffers- Apurva Desai (batting coach), Partho (physico) and Anand Date (trainer)- but have retained former spinner Sairaj Bahutule, who will continue to assist the team in Bengaluru.

The second Test will get underway from March 13.

India's Test squad:

Rohit Sharma (captain), Priyank Panchal, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubhman Gill, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), KS Bharat, Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, R. Ashwin (subject to fitness clearance), Axar Patel, Saurabh Kumar, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Mohd. Shami, Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain).

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ICC Women’s CWC 2022 | AUS-W vs PAK-W | 6th Match Preview, Predictions, Fantasy XI

After edging past their arch rivals (England Women) in a high scoring thriller Australia Women’s will face Pakistan Women’s team on March 8, 2022, at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. This will be the second game for both these sides. In their previous games, one has tasted success while the other was annihilated by India Women’s side. Australia Women’s are currently in the fourth spot with two points to their name while Pakistan Women’s are yet to open their account and are at the bottom of the table. A fantastic batting display from Aussie opener Rachel Haynes (130 off 131-balls) who along with her skipper Meg Lanning (86 off 110-balls) involved in a partnership of 196-runs for the second wicket helping their side reach the total beyond England’s reach in their last game. It was not an easy day for their bowlers as the game went down to the wire. But Jess Jonassen held her nerve to restrict Natalie Sciver and England in the last over to win it by 12 runs. Alana King rattled the middle order by picking up three important scalps as she paid tribute to the spin wizard “Shane Warne”. Ashleigh Gardner didn’t feature in the first game after she was tested positive for COVID-19 on March 3, 2022. She has been temporarily replaced by Heather Graham. But with their batters in form and bowlers doing their job there shouldn’t be any changes in the playing XI. “We have not faced Pakistan in the ODI’s since October 2018. We saw their match against India and observed how they were bowling. Our top six has various plans to tackle against the unfamiliar spin attack from them.” - Beth Mooney said in an interview on Monday. Pakistan Women’s were nowhere near their best against a tough Indian side in the last game. To be fair, their bowling was average but the batting which let their side down. Their confidence would have taken a massive dent after getting thrashed by a margin of 107 runs. They will expect a better performance from Diana Baig, Javeria Khan, Nida Dar and captain Bismah Maroof. They have the experience in them to be able to overcome the previous defeat. This game will deal no easy pickings for them as they are facing the 6-time World Champions. “When we started bowling first we bowled really well. They attacked on the right line and lengths. In the middle overs we were a bit lazy but in the slog overs we had it covered. But in the next match we need to be more alert to the situations. The wickets here are helpful for batting. 245 was chasable here and with the batting line-up we have got we should have chased it. Our next game is against Australia and hopefully we cover these things and play well.The tougher side is always the one which comes back stronger.” - Nida Dar said after the previous match. Match Details Australia Women vs Pakistan women- 6th Match Date and Time- March 8, 2022, 6:30 AM IST Venue- Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui Broadcast- Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 HD, Star Sports 3, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Disney+Hotstar Pitch Report This pitch in Bay Oval will be used for the third time in a matter of five days. So it should grip and turn. The average score batting first is around 250-260. The captain who wins the toss should bat first. The pitch will slow down as the game progresses. Weather Conditions According to weather reports, there will be no rain and will be sunny and clear throughout the match. Squads Australia Women Alyssa Healy (wk), Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Annabel Sutherland, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, Grace Harris, Nicola Carey, Amanda Wellington, Heather Graham. Pakistan Women Javeria Khan, Sidra Ameen, Bismah Maroof (c), Omaima Sohail, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Anam Amin, Nahida Khan, Muneeba Ali, Aiman Anwer, Ghulam Fatima. Probable Playing XI Australia Women Alyssa Healy (wk), Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Annabel Sutherland, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown. Pakistan Women Javeria Khan, Sidra Ameen, Bismah Maroof (c), Omaima Sohail, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Anam Amin. CE Fantasy XI Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Javeria Khan, Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes, Beth Mooney, Megan Schutt, Jess Jonassen Captain- Meg Lanning Vice-Captain- Ellyse Perry