Madhya Pradesh’s prolific batter Rajat Patidar was on Thursday named as a alternative for India’s batting mainstay Virat Kohli for the primary two Tests in opposition to England. “Rajat Patidar has joined the team as Virat Kohli’s replacement for the first two Tests against England,” the BCCI mentioned within the announcement. Kohli had determined to make himself unavailable for the primary two Tests of the five-match sequence as a consequence of “personal reasons”.

The 30-year-old, who’s contemporary from scoring 111 and 151 in India A’s fixture in opposition to England Lions, nevertheless, should look ahead to his Test debut.

Toss Update

England win the toss in Hyderabad and elect to bat within the 1st #INDvENG Test.

Fast bowler Avesh Khan has been launched to play for his Ranji trophy crew, Madhya Pradesh for his or her subsequent Ranji Trophy fixture.

Rajat Patidar has joined the crew as Virat Kohli’s… pic.twitter.com/g9TfcLZZvs

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 25, 2024

The Rohit Sharma-led aspect opted for a three-pronged spin assault, together with left-arm spinner Axar Patel within the opening Test in Hyderabad on Thursday.

Patidar lately made his worldwide debut in an ODI in opposition to South Africa in Paarl, the place he scored 22 opening the innings, The BCCI announcement additionally talked about that quick bowler Avesh Khan has been launched to characterize his Ranji trophy crew, Madhya Pradesh, of their subsequent Ranji Trophy fixture. 

India’s squad for first two Tests in opposition to England: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, KS Bharat (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Rajat Patidar