RP Singh and Sreesanth ruled out of second Test

RP Singh, who was India's most successful bowler in the ODI series against Pakistan, will continue to remain in the sidelines during the Tests © AFP

RP Singh and Sreesanth, who missed the first Test due to injury, will sit out of the second match in Kolkata as well, after failing to recover from their respective injuries.

"RP and Sreesanth have been ruled out for the second Test," Niranjan Shah, the secretary of the Indian board, told PTI. Singh has been hampered by an oblique abdominal strain - an old injury which was aggravated in the recently concluded ODI series.

Sreesanth, who sustained a shoulder injury in the last ODI at Jaipur, met an orthopaedic surgeon in New Delhi and was given a set of drills. It is understood that he has been advised to undergo surgery, and he has also been in touch with an ayurvedic practitioner in Coimbatore. He has been called to Bangalore by the team management on December 6, two days before the third Test begins, for an assessment of his injury.

India are likely to persist with their replacements, Munaf Patel and Ishat Sharma, for the second Test. Munaf, himself on the road back to full fitness, was included in the XI for the first Test, and had figures of 1 for 61 in the first innings. Ishant, who played one Test for India during the tour to Bangladesh and was included in the squad to England, was drafted into the squad after impressing in Delhi's second round Ranji Trophy Super League match against Saurashtra, where he picked up seven wickets. Sharma was allowed to leave the national squad and represent Delhi in the ongoing Ranji match against Mumbai, after he was not included in the XI.

Meanwhile Pakistan have injury concerns of their own. Umar Gul, who missed the first Test due to a troublesome back, is also likely to miss out on the Kolkata Test, which starts on November 30.