NEW DELHI: Rookie all-rounder Akshar Patel will replace the injured Ravindra Jadeja in India’s squad for the remaining two Tests in Australia, the Indian cricket board announced on Monday.

Patel, who turns 21 in January, is a left-arm spinner and useful left-hand batsman like Jadeja. He has taken 14 wickets in nine ODIs, but has yet to play a Test.

Jadeja has a shoulder injury and will return home to undergo a rehabilitation programme, the board said in a statement.

It remained unclear if Jadeja, who did not play in the first two Tests, will be available for the World Cup that opens in Australia and New Zealand on Feb 14.

Australia lead the four-Test series 2-0. The third Test starts in Melbourne on Dec 26 and the fourth will be played in Sydney from Jan 6.

Published in Dawn December 23th , 2014