I am eagerly waiting to play in Australia: Axar

Gujarat's promising all-rounder Axar Patel expressed happiness over his selection in the Indian squad for the next two Test matches against Australia after Ravindra Jadeja was ruled out of the series due to an injury.

"I am very happy being selected for the Indian team for the next two Test matches," Patel, who is playing for Gujarat in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra, told reporters after the end of second day's play.

Patel took four wickets and helped Gujarat bundle out Saurashtra for 207. However, he made only eight runs in Gujarat's first innings. Gujarat made 248 runs in their first essay at the SCA Stadium Khandheri.

"I am eagerly waiting to play in Australia," the 20-year-old lanky cricketer said.

Patel has played 9 ODIs for India taking 14 wickets. Patel has been picked up for the next two matches as Jadeja was ruled out duo to a shoulder injury and will return to India.

Jadeja was not part of the first two Tests in the four- match series Down Under. The third match is scheduled to start on December 26 in Melbourne.

When contacted, Saurashtra media manager Himanshu Shah said Patel would leave for Australia after the Ranji match.

"As I have been informed by Gujarat team manager, Patel will finish the ongoing Ranji match against Saurashtra and thereafter leave for Australia," Shah said.

Image: Axar Patel

Photograph: BCCI