NAGPUR: Mohammed Shami’s tryst with breakdowns continues. India’s pace spearhead had to be left out again due to fitness issues as India made three changes in the XI for the second Test. Ishant Sharma replaced Shami, Murali Vijay came in place of Shikhar Dhawan, while Rohit Sharma took the place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
In a career spanning four years, Shami has often been out due to lack of fitness. He was sharp in the first Test, but bowled from a short run-up during nets on Thursday. Heading into a number of overseas Tests in the coming year, India will keep fingers crossed over Shami in conditions where fast bowlers will be required.
That apart, Rohit’s inclusion means India are going back to the formula of six batsmen, wicketkeeper and four bowlers. The Mumbai batsman played the last of his 21 Tests against New Zealand in Indore last year. It seems the team wanted to strengthen the batting department keeping in mind the trouble batsmen faced in the first innings of the first Test.
Sri Lanka are going in with an unchanged XI on a pitch that doesn’t promise much for fast bowlers, contrary to expectations.
India: Virat Kohli (captain), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), Dasun Shanaka, Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Gamage
Umpires: Richard Kettleborough (ENG), Joel Wilson (WIS)
TV umpire: Nigel Llong (ENG)
Match referee: David Boon (AUS)