Kuldeep Yadav released after Axar Patel joins team India 

The Indian Team management has released chinaman Kuldeep Yadav from the Test squad. Reports suggest that the call was made on the back of Axar Patel’s fitness. The emerging all rounder was declared fit and available for selection. The management committee as a result chose Patel over Yadav for the remainder of the test series against Sri Lanka. 

With two quality left hand spin bowlers already in the side, the team management believes there is no need for a third alternative. Apart from them, the 18 member squad also comprises the services of Jayant Yadav and R.Ashwin. 

While announcing the test squad on Feb 22, the Indian Cricket board stated “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." The Ahmedabad based cricketer has been out of action since December last year. Now that he is fit for the second test, Kuldeep’s presence was not thought to be required.

India won the opening test in Mohali inside three days. The squad will however stay in Mohali till Wednesday, when they will fly to Bengaluru, where the second and final test of the series begins on March 12. 

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).