Have India dropped Mohammed Siraj from playing XI ? Here's what Rohit Sharma said at toss

Mohammed Siraj is not part of India’s playing XI for the second test match against England in Visakhapatnam.

In quest of their redemption in the five-match test series against England, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first in the second test match. Team India got off to a cautious start in the second test at ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Team India were forced to make few changes in their playing XI. Injured Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul were ruled out and along with them Mohammed Siraj also missed the second test.

Rajat Patidar came in for KL Rahul and made his test debut in Visakhapatnam while Kuldeep Yadav made his return to Indian test playing XI after a gap of 13 months. Mukesh Kumar came in for Mohammed Siraj. Right-arm pace bowler Mohammed Siraj was rested from the second test as he had a continuous run with the Indian team for the last five-six months. Mohammed Siraj had a poor first test match at his hometown in Hyderabad.

Captain Rohit confirms, ‘Siraj rested’

Indian captain Rohit Sharma cleared the air around Mohammed Siraj during the toss and informed that team management have decided to rest the Indian pacer in the second test match. Rohit Sharma said, “Injuries are part and parcel of the game, but that’s why we have the guys sitting on the bench. Two forced changes Jadeja and KL miss out, and Siraj has been rested. Siraj has been part of the setup continuously.” 

Mohammed Siraj had a poor outing in Hyderabad and went wicket-less in the entire test match. He bowled only four overs in the first innings and seven in the second innings. Siraj had a terrific tour of South Africa 2023-24 and won his side a crucial test match at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town. He picked up a six-wicket haul in the first innings of the second test against South Africa.

Mukesh Kumar will be playing his first-ever test match at home after making his test debut against West Indies last year. Mukesh Kumar has played only two test matches for India and picked up six wickets. Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav will be the lead Indian spinners in Visakhapatnam test. The 30-year-old Madhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar made his test debut replacing KL Rahul in the playing XI.

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