England and India are set to face off each other for the second Test at Lord’s from August 12. The first Test at Trent Bridge ended in a draw after rain played spoilsport on the fifth and final day. Both teams thus start from scratch with injury concerns in both camps giving selection issues. More about the second Test preview in detail below.
England vs India 2021, Lord’s Test Preview
India
Shardul Thakur’s untimely injury has disrupted the entire team combination heading into the second Test for India. He was ruled out with a myofascial strain on his left hamstring. The Indian team has reliable options to replace the pace-bowling all-rounder. However. the issue lies in seeking the perfect team combination. Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin are the ones in question. While Ishant has taken the most wickets for India on English soil, Ashwin will provide batting depth.
With the Indian middle-order failing to fire in the first Test, the management wants to extend the batting line-up. However, the pitch and the conditions at Lord’s also calls for the addition of Ishant with his pace and swing. The rest of the bowling attack is sorted with Bumrah, Shami, Jadeja and Siraj being the options.
The Indian batting line-up will have to put up a far better show than they did in the first Test. Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, the famed Indian middle-order needs to stand upto its reputation at the Home Of Cricket. India’s record at Lord’s is not great as well. They have won just two matches at this venue lost 12 and drawn four games. The victories came in 1986 and 2014.
England
Like India, England also have a few injuries to focus on. This can bring about wholesale changes to the playing XI as well. Stuart Broad has been ruled out of the series with a calf injury. Reports are that James Anderson also injured his quad muscles and can be rested as well. Moeen Ali and Saqib Mahmood have been added to the squad. While Ali is almost a guaranteed selection, Mahmood and Wood is likely to share the new ball if Anderson is rested.
Batting wise, Joe Root remains the most important batsman in the playing XI. England’s top-order is a concern with Rory Bourns, Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley all being out of form. Dan Lawrence has also looked out of touch. With the experience of Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler in the middle-order, the top-order is likely to have a few changes. Sam Curran due to his left-arm swing bowling is likely to hold onto his spot.
Head To Head
Overall
- Total: 127
- India won: 49
- England won: 30
- Drawn: 50
In England
- Total: 63
- England won: 34
- India won: 7
- Drawn: 22
Pitch Report & Weather Conditions
The pitch had a grass covering when the its first look was unveiled. To the naked eye, it was all covered in grass. All the grounds in England have good pace and bounce. Meanwhile, currently, the pitch wears a green look which means that it will assist the seamers more than the spinners.
Team News
Shardul Thakur will miss the second Tets with a hamstring injury. Ashwin and Ishant are up for selection. The rest of the Indian squad is expected to remain the same. Virat Kohli will have to have his thinking cap on and choose if he wants for pacers and a specialist spinner of a 3-2 equation with six top-order batsmen.
For England, Broad has been ruled out of the series. To add to that, multiple injuries and a wobbly top-order might force skipper Joe Root to make wholesale changes to the squad.
Also Read: ENG vs IND 2021: England Pacer Stuart Broad Ruled Out Of The Series
Squads
India
Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Mayank Agarwal, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Md. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prithvi Shaw, Suryakumar Yadav
England
Joe Root (capt), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Bess, Moeen Ali, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Dom Sibley, Mark Wood