Indian spin bowling all-rounder, Saurabh Kumar has been added to India’s squad for the 2nd Test match against England, scheduled to be played in Vishakhapatnam.
The injuries to Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul have paved the way for Saurabh’s inclusion in the squad. Notably, this isn’t the first time when he will be sharing the dressing room with the senior cricketers.
He was previously selected in the Indian squad during the series against Sri Lanka in 2022. However, Kumar didn’t get the opportunity to be part of the playing XI. His place in the India XI for the second Test against England isn’t guaranteed either.
The likes of Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav will be vying for a place as well.
The 30-year-old Saurabh Kumar isn’t a young prospect in the Indian cricketing circuit who, recently, took domestic cricket by storm. He has been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit for several years now.
Saurabh Kumar Stats
Saurabh Kumar plies his trade of the Uttar Pradesh team in domestic cricket. In his first-class cricket career so far, he has managed to pick up 290 wickets in 68 matches at an average of 24.4. Besides, he has also scored 2061 runs at an average of 27.1.
He made his first-class debut for Services in the 2014-15 season but took the road to Uttar Pradesh for the following season. He was the leading wicket-taker for UP in the 2018-19 Ranji season where he claimed 51 wickets in 10 matches.
The 2019-20 season saw him picking 44 wickets in just eight games, once again, finishing the season as the highest wicket-taker for the franchise. His selection in the Indian squad came on the back of his incredible spell against the England Lions.
Playing for India A, Saurabh Kumar returned with a five-wicket wicket in the second Test match against England Lions at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Ravindra Jadeja has been ruled out of the squad and Saurabh Kumar seems like a perfect replacement for him. However, he would be competing with the likes of Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav.
The second Test match between India and England is due to take place from 2nd to 6th February 2024 in Visakhapatnam. England won the first Test match by 28 runs and, currently, leads the series 1-0.
India Squad For 2nd Test Against England (Probable Playing XI)
Rohit Sharma, Yashavi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, KS Bharat, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Saurabh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
