England look to continue momentum in the 2nd Test Match at Chennai

Welcome to our India v England preview.

With India trailing 1-0 after the first test, the 2nd test at Chennai will be a test of the team’s character. Is there a bounce back on cards (again) or it will be another clinical and professional performance from England?

Team news: India

After a 227-run thrashing in the first test, India need to regroup for the second. While there is no need to press the panic button yet, India could benefit from bringing in the Chinaman spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, who has been an out of favour player in the recent past.

Shahbaz Nadeem who had a lacklustre outing with the returns of 4/233, could make way for Kuldeep.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 06: Kuldeep Yadav of India is applauded by team mates after taking five wickets during day four of the Fourth Test match in the series between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 06, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Kuldeep will have a tough competition from Axar Patel, who is fit for the second test and is a more like-to-like replacement for Ravindra Jadeja. “Jaddu” has been a regular feature of India’s test squads when available.

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Team news: England

From England’s perspective, Jofra Archer is set to miss the game due to an injured right elbow. One of Olly Stone or Chris Woakes seems likely to replace him. The English think tank has adopted a rotation policy during this era of bio-bubbles.

Jos Butler who played both the tests in Sri Lanka, has flown home and Ben Foakes is set to take his spot in the starting eleven. James Anderson, the wrecker-in-chief on the final day, will make way for the lanky Stuart Broad, who was benched for the first test.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 24: Injured England bowler Jofra Archer on 12th man duties during Day One of the Fourth Test between South Africa and England at The Wanderers on January 24, 2020 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Moeen Ali is confirmed to replace Dom Bess. The 22-year old bowled well to pick up 4 wickets in the first innings, but struggled for rhythm in the second innings.

England v India Preview: Likely XI’s

England: Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes, Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Olly Stone / Chris Woakes.

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel / Washington Sundar, Ravi Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma.

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From the pre-match press conference

“We talk about that rotation policy being crucial to our team’s performance so they’re fresh when they come in.

But also making sure we’re getting the best out of the likes of Stuart, Jimmy and the rest of our fast bowlers.” Joe Root, Eng skipper.

In focus: The SG Ball row

After Kohli’s ‘not pleased’ and Ashwin’s ‘bizarre’ comment on the ball, the marketing director at SG released a statement saying that the premature wear and tear happened primarily due to the abrasive nature of the pitch.

“Because the wicket was really hard, which everybody is accepting, it is very difficult for the leather, a natural substance and not the hardest thing, to naturally wear and tear. So the expectation that a 40-, 50- or a 60-overs old ball to behave like a 10-over old ball is not going to happen.”

It would be interesting to see if the SG ball remains in the news for the remainder of the series.

We hope you enjoyed our India v England Preview.

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