The big news: Patel replaces Saha for third Test

India player Parthiv Patel was recalled for the third Test of the three-match series against England which begins on Saturday. Patel will finally wear the white jersey after a period of eight years. The 31-year-old, who last played in an international match four years ago, will replace Wriddhiman Saha. Patel comes in due to an injury to Saha. The Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed that Saha “developed a strain in his left thigh” during the second Test against England in Vizag.

On Tuesday, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was recalled to India’s 16-member Test squad for the remaining three Tests against England. However, the selectors did not chose Gautam Gambhir in the squad.

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  1. Amid the ongoing feud with the Supreme Court-appointed Lodha Committee, BCCI’s relationship with International Cricket Council has also hit a roadblock. The ICC has deducted six points from the Indian women’s cricket team for not playing the scheduled bilateral series with Pakistan from August 1 to October 31. 
  2. Sri Lanka beat West Indies by one run in a thrilling match at Bulawayo on Wednesday. Sri Lanka reached 330 in their allotted 50 overs with Niroshan Dickwella top scoring with 94. West Indies reached 329 with Evin Lewis scoring a sublime 148, but ended up losing the match. 
  3. New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult was ruled out of the second Test against Pakistan owing to a knee injury. Doug Bracewell has been added to the squad in place of Boult for the Hamilton Test.
  4. South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first in the third and final Test at Adelaide against Australia. The day-night Test match saw one change in the Proteas squad with South Africa bringing in the left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi in place of Keshav Maharaj.