India and England will face each other in the second Test of the series. The first match ended in a draw and India dominated the game with a fine bowling display.
Match Timings: Aug 12, 3:30 PM IST
Match Preview
Team India reach Lord’s to face England in the second Test of the 5-match series. They have already started the second cycle of WTC 2021-23. India finished as runner-ups in the first cycle and England missed out the final from few points. India made a good start to the series but rain spoiled the party. They bowled out England on 183 and then took a vital lead of 95 runs. KL Rahul scored a fine 84 on his Test comeback and Jadeja scored a fine half-century.
Joe Root scored his yet another hundred to save the Test for England. India got the target of 109 and they were one down on 52 when rain spoiled India’s chances. India would be happy with their dominating show in Nottingham. India won the Lord’s Test in 2014 against England when Rahane scored a hundred and Ishant picked a 7-wicket haul.
India bowling was up to the mark and Bumrah bagged a fifer which is a happy sign for India. Mayank Agarwal is fit now but Team India will now look to play with a similar XI. It will be an important game for Pujara as well because Rahul’s performance may outclass Pujara’s chances. Shardul Thakur is injured so India can recall Ashwin in the XI. India included Siraj in the last game in place of Ishant and he was in good touch. India’s previous record in England isn’t convincing as they lost the last series 4-1 in 2018, followed by back-to-back series losses in 2011 and 2014. This time, India can change history.
Meanwhile, England might be favourties in their own home ground but their poor batting show might haunt them in Lord’s as well. England recently lost to New Zealand in the two-match Test series and in the first Test of the series, they almost lost the save before rain spoiled the Indian dream. Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, and Jonny Bairstow are the players who made their comeback. Moeen Ali earned the recall so he might play this game and Mark Wood will replace injured Broad. James Anderson is also doubtful so he can also miss this Test.
England can also show their interest in Haseeb Hameed who scored a hundred against India in the warm-up game. Batting is a big concern and only Joe Root is delivering. Rory Burns was in prime form against New Zealand. Sibley and Crawley had a decent phase in past one year. Green grass might be used on pitch and England would make a good bouncy track to taste Indian batsmen.
Pitch Report
Lord’s track is a fine Test surface and it adds good balance between bat and ball. The track will help pacers later in the game. Morning sessions will be crucial.
Possible XI
England
Joe Root (C), Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, James Anderson/Overton, Zak Crawley, Dom Sibley, Johnny Bairstow, Mark Wood, Moeen Ali, Ollie Robinson
India
Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, C Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishbah Pant (wk), R Jadeja, Shradul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, M Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah
Key Players
England
Joe Root
The leading run-getter in Tests in 2021, scored hundred in first Test
James Anderson
4 wickets in first Test and he is a fine pacer in such conditions
India
Virat Kohli
Leading run-scorer in previous Test series in England
Jasprit Bumrah
Would be crucial with new ball, 9 wickets in first Test including a fifer
