Overview:
As per ESPNcricinfo, at Edgbaston in Birmingham, the two teams have met 8 times. England have won 7 games and 1 game have been drawn.
England and India take on each other in the 2nd encounter of the 5-match Test series. The 2nd Test is set to be held at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Notably, England have taken a 1-0 lead in the series. England defeated India by 5 wickets in the first Test at Headingley, Leeds. Ben Stokes’ men chased down a target of 371 runs at ease. Now the action shifts to Edgbaston, where England will want to boss the show and take a massive 2-0 lead. England have beaten India in their last two meetings here in 2022 and 2018, respectively. In 2022, England chased down 378 runs, and in 2018, they won by 31 runs.
What is the Context of the ENG vs IND Match?
India, under Shubman Gill, was on top in the first Test, but wasted the same. They were 430/3 in the 1st innings before collapsing to 471/10. They then dropped several catches when England batted. In the 3rd innings, from 287/3 at one stage, India finished on 364. When England batted, catches were dropped again, and the bowling was ordinary.
So coming into this contest, India have to improve in all aspects. The lower middle order and the tail need to show more character. The bowling needs to improve drastically if India are to present a fight. Similarly, India need attacking names and one would expect a few changes in personnel.
The major question is hindering on whether Jasprit Bumrah will play. He is set to play only 3 of the 5 matches and despite being available, India will need to take a call in this regard.
In terms of the H2H record, England and India have met 137 times in Tests. England have won 52 games to India’s 36. Another 50 matches have been drawn. In 68 matches on English soil, England have claimed 37 wins with India claiming 9 victories. 22 games have been drawn. As per ESPNcricinfo, at Edgbaston in Birmingham, the two teams have met 8 times. England have won 7 games and 1 game have been drawn.
On June 30, England announced their playing XI for the 2nd Test, more than a day in advance. India will be planning and plotting to get the best side out.
The match will start at 3:30 pm IST.
England – Playing XI
As mentioned, England announced their playing XI on Monday. They have kept the same playing XI. Despite including Jofra Archer in the squad for the 2nd Test, England have decided against rushing him.
Zak Crawley: The English opener fell early in the 2nd innings at Headingley, but fought back hard to score a superb half-century in the 4th innings. He added a century-plus stand alongside Ben Duckett, and that set the platform for a win.
Ben Duckett: He was the Player of the Match in the 1st Test and was a thorn for Team India. He smashed 62 and 149. The 149-run knock in the 4th innings was stupendous. He has shown how easily the game can be taken away with aggression.
Ollie Pope: The experienced 27-year-old made use of his reprieve to hammer a ton in the 2nd innings. It was a pivotal knock after India had dismissed Crawley. He was part of a vital stand alongside Duckett and Joe Root.
Joe Root: He is the best bet and also the best batter by miles between the 2 teams. Root got a start in the 2nd innings, scoring 28. In the 4th innings, he was solid and hit a stunning unbeaten fifty to guide England home.
Harry Brook: The right-handed batter would have bagged 0 and 0 in the 1st Test, but it read 99 and 0. He was out of a no-ball when on nought, and then on the next day, he was dropped twice as he rode his luck. His 99 helped England.
Ben Stokes (captain): The all-rounder’s presence was of huge impetus. He delivered both with bat and ball. He scored 20 and 33. With the ball, he picked 5 wickets in the contest. Stokes remained calm and composed as a skipper.
Jamie Smith (wk): He showed why he can be a match-winner for England at number 7. Smith scored 40 and 44* in the 1st Test and brought immense value. He struck at 76-plus and 80 across the 2 outings which shows his fiery nature.
Chris Woakes: Chris Woakes surpassed 2000 Test runs with a composed knock of 38 in the 2nd innings. With the ball, the veteran picked up one scalp in the match.
Brydon Carse: He made a strong return to the Test fold after an injury. Carse picked 1/96 in the 1st innings before scoring a vital 22 in England’s 465. He claimed a three-fer in the 3rd innings.
Josh Tongue: The pacer fitted in well as the third pacer alongside Woakes and Carse. He claimed 7 wickets in the 1st Test and also frustrated India with a knock of 11 from 18 balls.
Shoaib Bashir: The lone spinner in this England side, Shoaib Bashir, did a reasonable job at Headingley. Despite leaking runs, he picked crucial wickets of Gill in the 1st innings and Rishabh Pant in the 3rd.
Player to watch out for (Joe Root): The star batter is our Player to watch out for. He averages over 70 at Edgbaston and is closing in on 1000 runs at this venue.
Predicted India Playing XI
India have questions aplenty. Should they bring in Dhruv Jurel for either of Sai Sudharsan or Karun Nair? They could also get in Nitish Reddy for the ineffective Shardul Thakur. Will they field Kuldeep Yadav to get more fizz? Lastly, will Bumrah feature or be rested?
Yashasvi Jaiswal: The youngster hit a ton in the 1st innings at Headingley, but was poor thereafter. He not only dropped catches across both English innings but also perished cheaply in the 3rd innings.
KL Rahul: The star versatile batter showed pedigree, scoring quality runs. He blunted the new ball across both Indian outings. With scores of 42 and 137, Rahul showed plenty of character. He remains a vital cog.
Sai Sudharsan: India handed the youngster his Test debut in Leeds, but it wasn’t fruitful as the player bagged 0 and 30. He fell prey to poor shots. One feels he will be handed another chance to prove his mettle.
Shubman Gill (captain): India’s new Test captain Gill was superb with a score of 147 in the 1st innings. This was a captain’s knock. However, he perished cheaply in the 3rd innings. Captaincy-wise, he did a reasonable job. He should have handled his bowlers well.
Rishabh Pant (wk): He is India’s best batter, and what Pant did in the 1st Test, very few can do. He hit twin tons for India and helped the side gain authority with the bat when he was there.
Karun Nair: It was a Test return to forget for Nair. He bagged 0 and 20. This could be a massive 2nd chance for Nair, and he needs to perform. India have Jurel waiting in the wings, and Nair knows this could be his last chance.
Nitish Reddy: He is expected to be selected ahead of Shardul, who was abysmal in the opener. In Reddy, India get a better batter who will help the lower middle order. His ability to bowl as a 4th seamer will help India.
Washington Sundar: India could use the precision of someone like Washington Sundar. He could be a sound option at number 8 with his batting. His right-arm off-spin could help India on a surface that has grass and is dry.
Kuldeep Yadav: If India are to come strong against England, they need to use their best spin weapon in Kuldeep. Ravindra Jadeja proved to be ineffective in the 1st Test, and Kuldeep could likely get the nod with his attacking wrist-spin.
Mohammed Siraj: The right-arm pacer wasn’t up to his best in the 1st Test, despite bowling his heart out. He will need to improve his offerings and lead the attack in case Bumrah gets rested.
Prasidh Krishna: Despite being woeful in the 1st Test, Krishna, who took 5 wickets, is likely to keep his place. He will support Siraj as the 2nd pacer. Recently, he vowed to bowl better and make amends.
Player to watch out for (Rishabh Pant): Pant comes into this contest with twin hundreds, and he could be amongst the runs again against this English side.
Pitch Report & Venue Conditions
Batting here will get better as the game progresses. Spinners will have their say once the surface gets older. For pacers, the new ball will seam and cause trouble for batters. If overcast, pacers will find joy and look to take wickets.
Match Prediction – Who Has the Upper Hand?
England have done well at Edgbaston against India, who are yet to claim a single win in 8 attempts here. England are the stronger side and will enjoy it, especially if India rest Bumrah.
FAQs About ENG vs IND Playing 11
Who is not playing in the ENG vs IND clash?
England have an unchanged XI announced. For India, Jasprit Bumrah could be rested.