Axar replaces Jadeja but unlikely to play 3rd Test

Photo: AFP

Colombo: Left-arm spinner Axar Patel will replace suspended Ravindra Jadeja in the 15-member Indian team for the third Test against Sri Lanka, starting in Pallekele on August 12.

"The All-India Senior Selection Committee on Tuesday named Axar Patel as the replacement for Ravindra Jadeja in the team for the 3rd Test, which starts from August 12, 2017, at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium," BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary said in a release.

Axar is considered to be a like for like replacement for Jadeja. But it will be cruel to expect Axar, who has earned his maiden Test call-up to replicate Jadeja’s performance.

Axar was part of the India A team that outplayed South Africa 'A' last night by seven wickets to retain the tri- series trophy they won four years ago.

The tall left-arm spinner, who had an impressive outing in the tri-series, has been asked to immediately join the team in Sri Lanka. He has taken six wickets at 15.50, with a best of 3/33 against Afghanistan A.

Jadeja was on Sunday suspended for the third Test as his accumulated demerit points reached six within a 24-month period following his latest breach of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second Test.

However, it is unlikely that Axar would get a game as chinaman spinner Kuldeep is almost certain to take Jadeja’s place in the playing XI.

India have sealed the Test series against Sri Lanka after winning the second Test at the SSC in Colombo by an innings and 53 runs. The visitors had won the first Test at Galle by 304 runs.

Team: Virat Kohli (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice captain), Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, W Saha (wk), Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, M Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhinav Mukund.