Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked India’s playing XI for the 2nd Test against England at Lord’s in London. After a pale draw in the first encounter, both sides will be desperate to go 1-0 up in the second outing.
Meanwhile, India will have to make a forced change in their playing XI with all-rounder Shardul Thakur ruled out of the Lord’s Test with a hamstring pull. The visitors have two options to go with – play Ishant Sharma or go ahead with all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, who can contribute with both bat and ball.
While former cricketers have backed Ashwin to get a nod, it seems like Ishant Sharma might play. Ahead of the Test match, Aakash Chopra also backed Ravichandran Ashwin to play in place of Shardul Thakur.
Preparations done ✅#TeamIndia geared up for the 2nd #ENGvIND Test at Lord's 💪 pic.twitter.com/hxptjoBbAG
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 12, 2021
“With Shardul Thakur getting ruled out, the combination has to change for India. There’s no player like Shardul in the world. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a similar kind of player, but he’s not there in the squad. So, I feel Ashwin should come into the XI. India should play with three pacers and two spinners,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Aakash Chopra not keen to change the batting order
Meanwhile, the 43-year-old is not keen to tinker with the batting line-up from the first Test. Although Mayank Agarwal has recovered from the head injury he suffered, Aakash Chopra believes in-form KL Rahul should continue to open the innings alongside Rohit Sharma.
“Mayank Agarwal is available for selection but, I don’t want to make any changes to the batting department. So, there’s only one change as Ashwin comes in for Shardul,” Chopra added.
Aakash Chopra’s India XI for Lord’s Test: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah