Credit: ICC
Following the crushing five-wicket defeat against England in the opening Test at Leeds, India will look to make a comeback in the second match to be played at Edgbaston from July 2 to 6. However, ahead of the massive contest, India’s Test records in Birmingham are trending on social media. Appearing in eight matches at the venue, India have emerged as a losing side on seven occasions while once in 1986, the visitors succeeded in settling for a draw with the hosts.
However, forgetting the records and Headingley defeat, Shubman Gill and his men will strive to be at their best to bring down Ben Stokes and co. to level the series. Before entering the crucial contest, India will look to form a solid playing XI which can deliver them effective results.
Here is India’s probable playing XI for the second Test against England at Edgbaston
Openers: KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal
Both KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jasiwal looked brilliant with their bats in the opening Test. Jaiswal notched up a ton in the first innings while Rahul scored a hundred in the second innings. However, Jaiswal will be expected to be more disciplined as a fielder in the remainder of the series. His blunders as a fielder proved costly to India at Headingley.
Middle-order batters: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), and Rishabh Pant (WK)
Sai Sudharsan failed to be impressive in his debut game but in the upcoming match, he will have to be impactful to keep himself relevant in the side. Shubman Gill batted brilliantly in the first innings of the Leeds’ Test and he will strive to shine with his bat in Birmingham as well. Rishabh Pant did a phenomenal job as a batter in the last game, notching up centuries in both innings. Expectations will be high from him for the upcoming game as well.
All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar
Veteran Ravindra Jadeja looked ineffective as an all-rounder in Leeds but the team management will be expecting him to be solid in the next Test. Nitish Kumar Reddy is highly likely to replace Shardul Thakur, who failed to justify his role in the opening contest. Washington Sundar might also be inducted in the playing XI to support Jadeja to reinforce the spin-bowling unit.
Bowlers: Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana
With Jasprit Bumrah likely to miss the second game, Mohammed Siraj’s job will be to spearhead India’s fast-bowling attack confidently. Arshdeep Singh might be handed his Test debut in Birmingham. Harshit Rana might also feature in the playing XI to fortify the visitors’ pace-bowling unit.
