The five-match series against England has provided an exciting and gripping opener in Hyderabad that India lost by 28 runs. Another compelling challenge awaits, and the second Test of the tour is set to commence on Friday, February 2 in Visakhapatnam.
The second Test brought several interesting stories. Headlines mostly spotlighted England’s successful strategy in Hyderabad. We anticipate the team will remain steadfast in their approach.
India is eager to win their next match, while England hopes to maintain their winning streak. The series has already delivered intrigued and excitement, promising more entertainment in the matches to come.
Get ready for the following three thrilling moments in the next Test between England and India.
1. England’s positivity and unorthodoxy were refreshing to watch in the 1st Test
There were many questions about whether Bazball would be able to prosper in India, and some of them were addressed strongly in Hyderabad. The English hitters were on top throughout the game, putting pressure on the host team’s bowlers.
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett batted effectively at the top of the order, while Ollie Pope and the rest of the middle order contributed as well. All of England’s hitters were more than eager to take unusual swings to keep ahead of the game, which made for compelling watching.
Many teams struggle against India’s spin plays when they visit. But England’s courage, optimism, and unique style stand out – it’s something to watch for the rest of the series.
2. India are all set to have at least one debut during the 2nd Test
The absence of KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Virat Kohli means at least one newbie will play for India. Should Shreyas Iyer or Shubman Gill be left out, two newbies might step onto the field in Vizag.
Sarfaraz Khan has been named to the Test team as Rahul’s backup, and Rajat Patidar has been declared as Kohli’s substitute ahead of the first game. Patidar just made his international debut in South Africa and was unafraid to take his shots.
Meanwhile, Sarfaraz has been scoring runs for pleasure in domestic cricket, and there’s little question that he deserves to make his Test debut. If he appears, how he performs will be a major talking point.
3. All eyes will be on Rohit Sharma and his captaincy
Ben Stokes, during the game in Hyderabad, demonstrated exemplary leadership; bold and unafraid. Contrarily, his counterpart, Rohit Sharma, seemed less resilient against the potent English attack. The handling of his team in the first Test has now pushed Sharma into a corner of harsh criticizations.
Rohit was frequently content to allow opposing batsmen to take singles, and he unable to establish any pressure at any point in either innings. He didn’t set offensive fields for the majority of the game and didn’t do anything unusual to counter the English batters’ unique approach.
India is currently without a win in three home Tests, and Rohit is at the center of the storm. The 36-year-old is a player who always rebounds back, and if he can perform at his peak in Vizag, home fans will be in for a treat.