IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Rested Mohammed Siraj Released From Squad, To Return For 3rd Test

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Pacer Mohammed Siraj has been released from the India, squad with Avesh Khan re-joining camp for the second Test against England, starting on Friday (February 2) in Visakhapatnam.

Siraj, who has been replaced by Mukesh Kumar in the playing 11 for the Vizag Test, has been released from the squad, but will be available for selection for the third Test, starting on February 15 in Rajkot, BCCI released an update.

The 29-year-old bowled just 11 overs - 4 in the first innings and 7 in the second innings of the first Test in Hyderabad last week. But BCCI added in their update that the pacer was released with workload management as well as the gap between the 2nd and 3rd Test in mind.

"Mr Mohd. Siraj has been released from the India squad for the second Test against England in Vizag. The decision was taken keeping in mind the duration of the series and the amount of cricket he has played in recent times," BCCI said on X.

Siraj, who has been a regular in the India Test side and also played in every match at the ODI World Cup last year, is expected to return for the third Test with Avesh Khan linking up with squad for the second Test.

"He will be available for selection for the third Test in Rajkot. Avesh Khan has re-joined the team for the 2nd Test," the BCCI post further read.

Coming back to the match in Vizag, India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first against Ben Stokes' England at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium.

Rajat Patidar was handed his India cap by former pacer Zaheer Khan. The debutant replaced injured KL Rahul in the playing 11, while Kuldeep Yadav replaced injured Ravindra Jadeja in the three changes made by the hosts as they look to bounce back from series opening loss.