Pandya to be rested for Sri Lanka Tests

The Board for the Control of Cricket in India have announced that allrounder Hardik Pandya has been withdrawn from the India squad for the first two Test matches against Sri Lanka.

The BCCI are concerned that the workload of the young allrounder has increased greatly since his Test debut in July.

Pandya was one of the star performers in th team that demolished Sri Lanka away from home earlier this year smashing his maiden Test hundred and claiming four wickets.

Though he hasn't bowled as much as he might be expected to when India visit South Africa later this season the BCCI are eager to manage their best players efficiently as they prepare for another bumper season.

A release issued by the BCCI read: "Considering Mr Pandya's heavy recent workload, the decision was made to negate any possibility of a major injury concern. Mr Pandya will undergo a period of strength at conditioning at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru."

At this stage no replacement has been named for the 24-year-old jack of all trades with the first Test set to get underway on November 16 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

India are heavily favoured to take the series having suffered just open defeat at home since the beginning of the 2014/15 season.