Bengaluru, Mar 7: Fit-again all-rounder Axar Patel has replaced left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav for India's second Test against Sri Lanka, beginning here on Saturday. The Indian team management has released Kuldeep from the squad. Axar had been recovering from a shin injury that had forced him to miss the South Africa tour and the T20 series against West India. He had also tested positive for COVID-19 recently. Virat Kohli Gifts Indian Cricket Team Shirt to Specially-Abled Fan After his 100th Test (Watch Video)

"Axar was the first choice but had to undergo recovery and hence Kuldeep was a backup," a BCCI source told PTI.

"Now Axar is fit and back so Kuldeep has been released," the source added.

At the time of announcing the squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, the BCCI had said Axar was expected to be fit for the second game. Kuldeep last played a Test in February 2021. India won the first Test against Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs.