Avesh Khan named as Mohammed Shami’s replacement in the India squad for the 2nd Test

The Indian Cricket Council named Avesh Khan as a replacement for the injured star Indian pacer Mohammed Shami for the 2nd Test match against South Africa. 

The 2nd Test match will be played on January 3, 202 at the Newlands in Cape Town. 

Team India trails the Test series 0-1 after losing the first Test in Centurion by an inning and 32 runs on Thursday. Now they have a chance to level the series at the Newlands.  

The veteran pacer was ruled out of the Two Test series as he did not get clearance from the Indian Cricket Board medical team.  

"The Men's Selection Committee has named Mr Avesh Khan as a replacement for Mr Mohd. Shami for the second Test against South Africa to be played from 3rd-7th January 2024 in Cape Town," the board said in a press release on Friday.

The 27-year-old had a role in India’s successful campaign in the three-match ODI series versus South Africa, where he picked up six wickets. Avesh has 149 wickets under his belt so far in 38 first-class matches at an average of 22.65.  

Avesh Khan is currently playing for the India A team in a four-day tour game at Benoni against South Africa A. He made a comeback of 23.3-5-54-5 to benefit in bowling out the Proteas for 263 runs in the opening innings.

The Indian Cricket Team entered the Test match with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur as pace prospects and star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the groove.

"This was not a 400-run wicket and we gave too many runs. We sprayed the ball all around, but it happens. One can't depend on one particular bowler (Bumrah), the other three pacers also needed to perform their roles, we could learn from how South Africa bowled," Rohit told in the post-match conference.

"Bumrah bowled well and we all know his quality. All he wanted was a bit of support which he didn't get. That happens. All three tried hard, bending their backs but didn't happen the way we wanted to.

"But games like these teaches you a lot as to what you want to do as a bowling unit," Rohit added.

India's squad for the 2nd Test match: 

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Avesh Khan.