IND vs ENG 2nd Test Live Score: India & England are all set to lock horns in the second Test of the series at the Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam beginning on February 2. India has suffered a 28-run loss & will aim to bounce back in this series by handing opportunity to youngsters, Rajat Patidar & Sarfaraz Khan. On the other hand, England’s early lead will act as a morale booster for them who will aim to hand Shoaib Bashir their maiden Test Cap.
TEAMS PREVIEW
India Preview
The first Test in Hyderabad saw India’s batting lineup showcasing moments of brilliance and vulnerability. While the first innings witnessed commendable performances, with Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja contributing significantly, the second innings witnessed a rapid collapse, leading to their defeat.
In a setback for India, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja are ruled out of the second Test due to injuries. Rajat Patidar is likely to make his debut in place of Rahul, while Kuldeep Yadav is expected to replace Jadeja. The batting responsibility falls heavily on Rohit Sharma, who has been providing good starts but needs to convert them into substantial innings.
Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, who have looked out of form, face the pressure to deliver. There are chances of any one of them sitting out & the Captain bringing in the all-new Sarfaraz Khan to the lineup. Virat Kohli will miss the second Test as well & there is no clarity on his return to the lineup. Yashasvi Jaiswal, after a brilliant 80 in the first Test, becomes a key player. In the bowling department, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel are expected to pose challenges to England’s batters.
England Preview
Despite a shaky start in Hyderabad, England mounted a remarkable comeback in the first Test, largely fueled by Ollie Pope’s outstanding 196 in the second innings. Their bowlers, especially debutant Tom Hartley, played a pivotal role in bundling out India and securing a 28-run win in the first Test.
In addition to Hartley’s heroics with the ball England received support from Pope whose 196 runs in the second innings helped England to chase 231 runs target with ease. Facing bowling issues in the first Test England made a comeback by bundling India for 212, thanks to Hartley’s 7-59. Hartley also scored 57 runs in the match and can be England’s game-changer in this series.
Joe Root is aiming to strengthen his bowling in these spin-friendly conditions. He has returned with a five-wicket haul in the previous clash & will aim to continue his form. However, his batting is a concern for them with only 31 runs in both innings. He is expected to address his batting issues & bounce back stronger in this match.
A memorable knock is expected from Captain Stokesy who won’t bowl in this series. In the first innings of the previous Test, he made important 70 runs to help England get past the 200-run mark.
In the bowling order, Jack Leach will be missing the Test due to an injury he sustained in the first Test. This opens doors for Shoaib Bashir, the right-arm off-break bowler from Somerset
Pitch and Weather Conditions:
The Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium pitch traditionally favors batsmen initially before assisting spinners later in the game. The average first-innings total in Tests here is 478, indicating the potential for high-scoring encounters. The weather in Visakhapatnam is expected to be hazy, humid, and hot for all five days of the Test, with minimal chances of rain.
Toss and Winning Prediction:
With only two Tests played at this venue, both won by the team batting first, winning the toss and opting to bat seems a prudent choice. India, known for resilient comebacks in Test cricket, will be keen to rectify their weaknesses. England, with the advantage of a series lead, aims to dominate. In a closely fought encounter, we predict India to stage a spirited turnaround and secure a win, leveling the series 1-1.
As the cricketing action unfolds at the Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, fans can anticipate a thrilling battle where every run and wicket could shape the course of the SA20 2024 campaign.
In conclusion, the second Test promises high-stakes cricket, with both teams eyeing victory for distinct reasons. India seeks redemption, while England aims to consolidate its lead. It would be worth seeing who will succeed in their motive in this clash.
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