Mumbai: The inclusion of Haryana offspinner Jayant Yadav as a replacement for Ishant Sharma in the squad for the second Test in Kolkata raised a lot of eyebrows.
However, reports are now emerging that offie Ravichandran Ashwin bowled in the first Test against New Zealand with a discomfort on his right hand.
In fact, Ashwin had revealed during the first Test at Kanpur that he haven’t had much practice before the series began, as he was unable to bowl due to a corn on the finger of his bowling hand.
"This game especially, I have a corn on my finger and I haven't bowled a lot in the last 25 days," Ashwin had said after the third day in Kanpur.
"I'm not very happy with the way it has come out so far. I just hope that I can do better in the series," said India's premier bowler.
Ashwin, who has played a pivotal role in India's recent success in Test cricket, had scalped 10 wickets in the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur.
In all likelihood, Yadav has been called up as a stand by for Ashwin if the finger discomfort proves too painful.
Gautam Gambhir was also recalled to Test squad as a replacement for injured KL Rahul. Gambhir last played an international Test match in 2014.
The second Test against New Zealand starts on Friday at the Eden Gardens. India look to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, after they beat the Kiwis by 197 runs in India’s landmark 500th Test at Kanpur.
