Learning a big lesson from the Hyderabad defeat, Team India will look to bounce back when they lock horns with England in the second Test, starting Friday in Visakhapatnam.
Team India haven’t lost back-to-back Test matches since 2012, and that was when a certain Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann wrecked havoc on pitches tailor-made to assist their strengths. Will this crop of Englishmen curb the Indian home dominance or will the hosts find a way to turn things around?
The coin goes up for a toss here in Viskhapatnam.
India win the toss and elect to bat first.
India conceded a defeat in the opening Test, played in Hyderabad, blowing away their massive lead against the English side, as the hosts eventually fell short of the total by 28 runs.
Three years ago, the mighty hosts found themselves in a similar situation having lost the opening Test to England at Chennai but bounced back to win the series.
However, the Joe Root-led side was a different breed then and this time India plan to fight back against a team that has redefined the way Test cricket is played and defied all probability to win the series opener after conceding a 190-run lead on a turning track.
James Anderson comes back into the England squad along with debutant spinner Shoaib Bashir while India bring in Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav and debutant Rajat Patidar in for the second encounter.
FOLLOW LIVE HERE: India vs England 2nd Test Day 1 Live Score: IND Look to Bounce Back After Shock Defeat in Hyderabad
Captain’s Comments
Rohit Sharma (India): We’ll bat first. Looks a good pitch, the pitch will do its thing, we need to play good cricket. What happened in Hyderabad is history, we need to move on. We have spoken on things we need to do, now we need to execute on our plans. I thought we batted well in the first innings, but didn’t have the same intent. Similarly, in the second innings with the bowl there was a brilliant knock by Ollie Pope. Injuries are part and parcel of the game, but that’s why we have the guys sitting on the bench. Two unforced changes – Jadeja and KL miss out, and Siraj has been rested.
Ben Stokes (England): Would have batted as well. It was a great last week, but we know India will come back hard. To come from behind like we did was very pleasing. We’ll take the confidence from that, but new week now. It is an amazing atmosphere to play in for the boys. To get such an opportunity at the start of their career will do wonders for their confidence.
Playing XIs
India’s Playing XI:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Shreyas Iyer, Srikar Bharat(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav
England’s Playing XI:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson
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