India, yet again go with three spinners including Axar and Kuldeep, Siraj gets a chance in place of Bumrah. With the pitch being prepared differently this time at Chepauk, will it make a difference eventually in the Test match?
Sanjhi Soch buero : India vs England 2nd Test match at the Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai begins from Saturday 13 February. In a no brainer, Virat Kohli won the Toss and chose to bat first. India had to face an embarrassing defeat in the first Test match, when England defeated the home team by 227 runs. The pitch did not help the bowlers at all for the first two days in the first Test match, it was like ‘playing on a road’ as said by Michael Vaughan. But the pitch looks different this time, it looks much dry and dark indicating that it will help spinners since Day 1. Thus, it was expected that the captain who wins the toss will bat first. Many believe, this pitch is different from the one which was used in the first match and will start disintegrating early on in the game.
But the second Test will be a different one, especially with crowds being allowed for the first time after the corona pandemic. “We’re allowing 50% only, our total capacity when fully occupied is about 32000 odd, and we’re only allowing 14000 inside. We’re having about 17 entrances to the stadium, all of it will be manned by people who will check the temperature, give hand sanitizers, and make sure everybody is wearing a mask,” TNCA Secretary RS Ramasammy said.
There are a few changes in the side this time for both the teams. After much criticism in the last match around the team selection, Virat Kohli picked up Kuldeep, Axar and Siraj in place of Nadeem, Sundar and Bumrah, England also have made some significant changes. They announced their 12 on Friday by Joe Root via a virtual press conference. No changes were made in the batting line-up. Bumrah is rested in this match looking at the amount of cricket India is playing.
Big and unforeseen changes are observed in the England side. While players like Stuart Broad, Moeen Ali, Olly Stone and wicket-keeper Foakes getting a place in the eleven, some big players are dropped from the second Test. Earlier, it was informed by the English Cricket Board (ECB) that Jofra Archer would be missing out in the second Test match due to injury. Apart from Archer, the England team has decided to drop Buttler, Bess, Stone and Anderson. It came as a surprise to many fans as they were not expecting Anderson to be dropped after the first Test. Apparently, he is been rested as a part of the rotational policy in England cricket.
