Second Test preview: India v England
The second Test between India and England will be played at Vizag, and will see the return of opener KL Rahul to the home side’s line up.
He was undercooked after injury for the Rajkot clash, and went away to score a domestic ton to earn a recall. As such, veteran batsman Gautam Gambhir is set to make way.
This will be a big boost for the hosts, as they are still without batsmen Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan to compliment the efforts of Virat Kohli.
England are still pondering the return of paceman James Anderson, who has been out for a while due to injury, but is reportedly fit again.
Anderson’s return could get an extra push if Chris Woakes is not fit. The all-rounder has a bit of a ‘wear and tear’ niggle, and while he is said to be fine, they may rest him.
Jake Ball is on deck in case neither of the above are fit to play, while spinners Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali, and Zafar Ansari can be sure of their places.
Spin legend Saqlain Mushtaq has been helping England’s spinners on this tour, and Ansari has said it’s more a mental thing, rather than tinkering with techniques.
England are unlikely to make changes unless they have to, with teen opener Haseeb Hameed shining on debut in Rajkot, providing a bit of relief at the top of the order.
Last five head-to-head results
2016 First Test: Match drawn in Rajkot
2014 Fifth Test: England won by an innings and 244 runs at The Oval
2014 Fourth Test: England won by an innings and 54 runs in Manchester
2014 Third Test: England won by 266 runs in Southampton
2014 Second Test: India won by 95 runs at Lord’s
Squads
India: Virat Kohli (capt.), R Ashwin, Gautam Gambhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Mohammad Shami, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha, Karun Nair, M Vijay, Umesh Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, KL Rahul
England: Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali, Zafar Ansari, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Gareth Batty, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Ben Duckett, Steve Finn, Haseeb Hameed, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes
Details
Dates: 17-21 November
Morning session: 09:30-11:30 (04:00-06:00 GMT)
Afternoon session: 12:10-14:10 (06:40-08:40 GMT)
Evening session: 14:30-17:00 (09:00-11:00 GMT)
Umpires: Kumar Dharmasean and Chris Gaffaney
Match referee: Rod Tucker
Latest
-
NewsBen Stokes taking break from cricket for mental health reasons
The 30-year-old all-rounder will play no part in the forthcoming Test series against India.
-
NewsECB putting player welfare first as coronavirus hampers Ashes travel plans
Talks with Cricket Australia over travel arrangements are set to take place during the coming weeks.
-
NewsNat Sciver and fiancee Katherine Brunt hoping to help others ‘be themselves’
The England internationals began dating in 2017 and were engaged around 18 months later.
-
NewsECB to support Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign from July 30 to August 1
Players in the Royal London One-Day Cup and The Hundred will wear rainbow laces, while the stumps across both competitions will be rainbow-branded.
-
NewsJack Haynes and Brett D’Oliveira star as Worcestershire thrash Essex
The openers enjoyed a partnership of 243 runs for the visitors.
-
NewsDom Bess in ‘good place’ and feels ready to play Test cricket without pressure
The spinner is ready to deliver if involved in the upcoming series and is excited for the Ashes too.
-
NewsOn this day in 2003: Nasser Hussain stands down as England Test captain
Hussain said he felt “tired and stale” and wanted to focus on his batting.
-
NewsWorcestershire make it two in a row with 11-run victory over Gloucestershire
Opener Jack Haynes led the way with 59 off 61 balls with seven fours and a six.
-
NewsTom Westley and Essex have their sights set on Royal London Cup silverware
Essex, who won the domestic Twenty20 competition in 2019, have only two players in The Hundred.
-
NewsMatt Parkinson stars at Manchester Originals have Birmingham Phoenix in a spin
The England leg spinner’s four for nine set up the victory for Jos Buttler’s side.