Mohammed Siraj and Hanuma Vihari released from India Test squad to play in Vijay Hazare knockouts

India’s Hanuma Vihari and Mohammed Siraj have been released from India’s Test squad which is currently playing the Windies, to partake in the Vijay Hazare Trophy knockouts. Vihari has represented India in one Test match so far – the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval last month. Meanwhile, Siraj is yet to make his Test debut for Team India.

In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Hanuma Vihari will play for Andhra Pradesh, while Mohammed Siraj is set to join his side Hyderabad in the knockout phase of the domestic tournament. In fact, Andhra Pradesh and Hyderabad will take each other on in the fourth quarterfinal on Monday, which is scheduled to take place in Bengaluru’s Just Cricket Academy Ground. The other quarterfinals lined-up in the knockout stage of the Vijay Hazare Trophy are Mumbai against Bihar, Delhi versus Haryana and Maharashtra taking on Jharkhand.

Who replaces them in the Indian side?

As a result of the duo being released from the side, Manish Pandey and Shubman Gill have been drafted into the Indian team as substitutes according to BCCI’s media release. They will however not have a chance to play in the match as the game has already entered Day 3 on Sunday. However, they could be used as substitute fielders, especially in case of an injury in the side.

Both Siraj and Vihari were expected to play against the Windies in the second Test in Hyderabad, especially after the visitors suffered a humiliating defeat in Rajkot. The second Test would have been an opportunity for Virat Kohli to try out some fresh legs in the Indian side and give the veterans some rest prior to India’s important tour of Australia next month.

However, the Indian management decided against playing either player. Instead, Shardul Thakur was given his maiden Test cap. However, the bowler had to hobble off the field after a groin injury in the early hours of Day 1.

For more news and developments, stay tuned on CricTracker.com.