What can be India's XI for 2nd England Test?
India will look to bounce back in the 2nd Test against England in Vizag. The hosts suffered a heartbreaking 28-run defeat in the opener and will be determined to prove a point. However, they have lost mainstays like Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul due to injuries, which will force the host to field a different line-up. Here are further details.
Rohit and Jaiswal to open the innings
With plenty of senior players unavailable, Rohit Sharma will be the key for India at the top of the order. The dasher looked in control in the first match but could not convert it into a big score. Similarly, Yashasvi Jaiswal played a superb 74-ball 80 in the first innings and batted with great intent. He will look to continue in the same manner.
Gill, Iyer, Patidar and Sarfaraz form the middle-order
Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have struggled for form in recent times. But with KL Rahul getting sidelined due to a quadriceps injury, India will rely on Gill and Iyer to deliver in the middle order. Newcomers like Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan are expected to make their debuts as the hosts will look to solidify their batting in the middle.
KS Bharat will sport the gloves
KS Bharat will keep his place in the starting line-up after a decent wicket-keeping display in Hyderabad. The 30-year-old scored 41 and 28 in the two innings and looked pretty good. India were in contention to chase down the total when Bharat and Ravichandran Ashwin stitched a 57-run stand. In both innings, Bharat showed application with the bat and tackled the spinners well.
Here are the all-rounders
Axar Patel and Ashwin will hold the bowling arsenal. In Jadeja's absence, the onus of delivering will be on Axar and Ashwin. While Ashwin returned with figures of 3/68 and 3/126, Axar claimed three wickets from the first Test. The latter also fared well with the bat. Both spinners will have to work in tandem to put this England team in trouble.
Who will form India's bowling attack
Mohammed Siraj only bowled 11 overs in the first Test. India can consider replacing him with another spinner in the form of Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm wrist-spinner will add variety to India's spin attack and can make a difference in the next match. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah, who returned with six wickets, will look to continue his exceptional form as India's lone pacer.
Here's India's Probable XI
India's Probable XI for 2nd England Test: Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Axar Patel, KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah.
