Jofra Archer ruled out of 2nd Test with elbow injury, Axar boost for India

While India is all set to welcome back Axar Patel in the playing XI for the second Test in Chennai, England pacer Jofra Archer, who bowled a terrific spell in the first innings of the first Chennai Test, has now been ruled out of the second dig with an elbow injury.

Jofra Archer suffered from a stomach bug on the final day of the first Test but was expected to be fit for the second game. However, with less than 36 hours to go for the game to begin, ECB confirmed that the pacer suffered an elbow injury during the nets, which is severe enough to keep him out of contention.

“The issue is not related to any previous injury and it is hoped the treatment will allow the condition to settle down quickly, allowing the player to return to action in time for the third Test in Ahmedabad,” the ECB said in a release.

With England without Mark Wood, they might have to reshuffle their plan a bit regarding the rest to James Anderson as a part of their rotation plan. Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, and Olly Stone are the other three pacers for England to choose from.

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Axar available for selection in 2nd Test

Meanwhile, BCCI, in a press release, has confirmed that Axar Patel has recovered completely and is now available for selection for the 2nd Test in Chennai.

“Axar Patel has recovered completely and is now available for selection for the 2nd Paytm Test in Chennai against England to be played from Saturday, 13th February. The all-rounder had complained of pain in his left knee and was ruled out of the first Test,” the statement read.

According to the release, Nadeem has been sent back to the standby list, indicating the fact that he might miss out on the second Test.

India Test squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (Vice-Captain), KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Md. Siraj, Shardul Thakur