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No KulCha, India pick Axar Patel over Yuzvendra Chahal to test bench strength

No KulCha, India pick Axar Patel over Yuzvendra Chahal to test bench strength

The wait for the fans to see the reunion of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav will continue as the former was left out of the playing XI for 2nd ODI

Ace Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was once again ignored from India’s playing XI in the 2nd ODI vs WI. The fans’ wait to see the reunion of the KulCha duo is going to take longer. Axar Patel was named in the playing XI, in what looks like an attempt to test the bench strength ahead of World Cup 2023.

Kuldeep Yadav teamed up with Ravindra Jadeja in the 1st ODI to wreck havoc against the West Indies. The spinner-duo shared 7 wickets between themselves, while debutant Mukesh Kumar and other pacers shared a wicket each.

READ | Hardik Pandya gets Kapil Dev’s backing for Test comeback against Shastri’s views

Axar Patel’s inclusion in the 2nd ODI is a sign of the management’s effort to test the bench strength before World Cup 2023. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma had further mentioned that the team was giving opportunities to all players ahead of the big tournament and that it would take 12-13 ODIs to figure out the XI for World Cup 2023.

Chahal dropped, Axar Patel in for 2nd ODI vs WI

Hardik Pandya is leading the Indian side in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Virat Kohli was dropped from the squad as well. While Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja were retained in the playing XI, Chahal was left out.

READ | 5 Reasons why every Team India fan is amped up for Asia Cup 2023

IND vs WI 2nd ODI

After blowing away the hosts and going 1-0 up in the series, India hopes to continue their dominance. Shai Hope and Co will look to make a comeback and level the series at 1-1. The match will be played at the same venue, Kensington Oval. Hardik Pandya will lead the side in the abscence of Rohit Sharma.

We were looking to bat first. We want to see how much we can score on this pitch. Rohit and Virat have been playing constant cricket, so they are resting. I think when you get someone out for 115, it’s a good sign. Our catching was impressive, but we can improve in certain areas,” skipper Hardik Pandya said at the toss.

India’s playing XI for 2nd ODI

Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan(w), Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya(c), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar

West Indies playing XI for 2nd ODI

Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope(w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Keacy Carty, Romario Shepherd, Yannic Cariah, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales

READ | Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli rested, Hardik leads, Sanju & Axar in for 2nd ODI

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