India Predicted XI vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test: Axar Patel to replace Jayant Yadav

India Predicted XI for 2nd Test: As India look to complete a whitewash in the third pink ball Test to be hosted in the country, let’s take a look at the predicted XI for the Bengaluru Test.

India were hardly challenged in the first Test in Mohali against Sri Lanka and will now be looking to complete a 2-0 series win in Bengaluru. The match marks the third pink-ball Test to be played in India and the fourth that they have played overall. India have been dominant in the previous two day-night Test matches that they played at home and would be looking to continue this dominance. 

India have brought Axar Patel back in the squad, who took 10 wickets in the last pink-ball Test played in the country. Let’s take a look at India predicted playing eleven for the second Test. 

Rohit Sharma: Rohit had a great start to his tenure as captain of the Indian Test team in Mohali but he will be looking to put on a better show with the bat than what he did in the first Test. 

Mayank Agarwal: Agarwal scored 33 in the first Test and would fancy his chances at scoring a big total at his home ground.

Hanuma Vihari: With Cheteshwar Pujara seemingly out of the team for the considerable future, Vihari has a real chance at making the No.3 spot his own. He played a crucial knock with Virat Kohli, scoring 58 to stabilise the Indian innings after the dismissal of the openers. 

Virat Kohli: Kohli is sure to get a warm reception in Bengaluru, where he was initially slated to play his 100th Test before it was shifted to Mohali. Fans would also be hoping that the former India captain would end his drought of centuries, the last of which was scored in the first pink ball Test to be hosted in India over two years ago. 

Rishabh Pant: Pant seemed to be on the verge of tears when he fell on 96 off 97 balls but it was his innings that first truly took the game away from Sri Lanka before Ravindra Jadeja took over. 

Shreyas Iyer: Iyer would be disappointed with how his innings ended in the first Test and would be looking to make amends in Bengaluru. 

Also Read: IND vs SL 2022: Jaffer dissects Indian team combination for 2nd Test against Sri Lanka

Ravindra Jadeja: The toast of the first Test and a contender for man of the series if India win in Bengaluru, Jadeja jumped to the top spot on the ICC Test rankings for all-rounders when he scored 175 and then took nine wickets in Mohali. 

Ravichandran Ashwin: Ashwin was another highlight of the first Test for India, putting up 130 runs with Jadeja and then taking six wickets. 

Axar Patel: Axar’s extraordinary performance in the last pink ball Test to be hosted by India against England in Ahmedabad may just lead the management to go for him ahead of Jayant Yadav. However, Axar may also find a place on the sidelines if India decide to go with an extra fast bowler in Mohammed Siraj. 

Mohammed Shami: Unless India decide to rest the senior fast bowler, there is no reason for him to not play the second Test. Shami took three wickets in Mohali. 

Jasprit Bumrah: The India vice-captain went wicketless in the second Sri Lankan innings and took two in the first. He may not get much better returns in Bengaluru considering he is a fast bowler but he remains a vital part of the team. 

India predicted XI for 2nd Test:

 India predicted XI for 2nd Test: Rohit Sharma (captain), Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain)