India fast-bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar is reportedly set to tie the knot with his fiance Nupur Nagar on November 23, which effectively rules him out of the second Test against Sri Lanka starting November 24 in Nagpur.
Any possibility of the bowler joining the team in the early hours of the match day is also next to impossible, as the wedding in Meerut would be reportedly followed by a reception in Bulandshahar on November 26.
The date of the wedding is yet to be announced, but media reports are suggesting that the star-pacer will get married on November 23. In that case, the Uttar Pradesh pacer, who has been named in the squad for the first two Tests against Sri Lanka is likely to miss the second game.
Last month, The Times of India had reported the pacer would tie the knot on 23 of this month, and a couple of receptions would follow it on November 26 and 30, the latter of which will be hosted in Delhi. As reported that would be attended by the Indian cricket team before the team takes on Sri Lanka in the third Test from December 2.
“The wedding will take place in Meerut, and it will be attended by family and close friends. But we want Bhuvneshwar’s teammates and members from the Board to also take part in celebrations, which is why we will have a reception in Delhi for them. We are sure everybody will attend it because the entire team will be in Delhi from November 30 for the Sri Lanka series,” Kiran Pal Singh was quoted as saying by the news outlet.
Bhuvneshwar, nonetheless, is likely to be in the team for the third Test. Meanwhile, in case the fast-bowler gets married on the reported date, he would be the second player after Hardik Pandya to miss the game.
The all-rounder has been rested for the upcoming series to manage his workload. He has been a regular feature in the Indian side across all formats now, having made his Test debut earlier this year in Sri Lanka. After the Indian Premier League, he has played 22 ODIs, three Tests and five T20Is.
India squad for first two Tests:
Virat Kohli (C), KL Rahul, M Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (VC), Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha (WK), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma
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