Shardul out of 2nd Test, XI to be decided before match : Virat

Indian pacer Shardul Thakur has been ruled out of the second Test against England due to injury. No information has been revealed about who will be included in the XI (Playing XI) in his place.

Indian captain Virat Kohli confirmed Shardul’s absence in the second Test during a press conference on Wednesday on the eve of the second Test. He said that Shardul will not play in the second Test as he has a strain in his leg muscles. Virat, in response to questions about the XI, said that a decision on the playing XI and Ravichandran Ashwin will be taken before the match on Thursday, although he has indicated to go with four fast bowlers in the second Test as well.

Virat said, the decision on playing XI and Ashwin will be taken on Thursday morning. We find ourselves comfortable with four fast bowlers on England pitches, but we will choose our playing XI depending on the conditions. Jadeja has scored runs, he brings depth to our batting. Apart from bowling, Shardul Thakur also strengthens our lower order batting. Pujara, Rahane and I have not scored many runs. Every match is an opportunity for the other batsmen to do well. I am not worried about the depth of my team’s batting as our tails have also done well in the first Test.

The Indian captain has said that Shardul will be fit till the third Test. On the other hand, it is possible that Ishant Sharma or Umesh Yadav may join the XI in place of Shardul after Virat’s indication of going with four fast bowlers in the second Test.