Xtra Time Web Desk: Left arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat was included in the playing XI for the second test against Bangladesh which started at Sher e Bangla stadium from Thursday. Unadkat replaced Kuldeep Yadav, who was the man of the match in the last test at Chittagong. For 31-year-old Unadkat, this is only the second call-up to the Test squad. His only appearance so far in the format was almost exactly 12 years ago, as a teenager straight out of the India Under-19s, in the first Test of the 2010-11 tour of South Africa. In that Test, in Centurion, he ended with figures of none for 101 as India lost by an innings and 25 runs.
Unadkat is the only change in the playing XI for the visitors from the one that played in the first test at Chittagong. Captain KL Rahul, who suffered a blow on his thumb while batting during the practice session on Wednesday is declared fit and is leading the side.
Talking about the decision to play Unadkat ahead of Kuldeep, captain KL Rahul said, We would have done the same. But it’s a confusing wicket. There is a lot of grass. I’m not too disappointed because I have no idea what to expect from this pitch. I’ve taken advice from the experts: the coaching staff and seniors, to learn more about the pitch. We have confidence from the win in our first Test, and we need to get our mind in here. It might be damp in the first session, getting early wickets would be good. We have Jaydev Unadkat come in for Kuldeep Yadav. Hard decision on Kuldeep but we know Ashwin and Axar can find spin, and bring Jaydev in to cover all bases.
Bangladesh has made two changes with Yasir Ali making way for Mominul Haque and Taskin Ahmed coming in place of injured Ebadot Hossain.