India are set to take on Ben Stokes’s England in the second Test of the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, starting July 2 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Here are the key player battles to watch out for in the India vs England 2nd Test.
Having lost the first Test in Leeds by five wickets, the visitors would be raring to turn around their fortunes. The second Test could bring a different look for India, with Jasprit Bumrah likely to be rested.
Arshdeep Singh is in contention to step in, offering a left-arm pace option that might place him ahead of Akash Deep in the pecking order. Additionally, Shardul Thakur could make way for Nitish Kumar Reddy, who brings a promising pace-bowling all-rounder profile to the mix.
Here are the key player battles to watch out for in the India vs England 2nd Test.
India Vs England, 2nd Test: Key Player Battles
Ravindra Jadeja Vs Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes and Ravindra Jadeja go head-to-head in one of the most impactful all-round battles of the series. Jadeja has had the upper hand so far, dismissing the England captain six times across 19 innings while conceding only 125 runs at an impressive average of 20.83.
His trademark accuracy and crafty variations have consistently kept Stokes in check, no matter the conditions. The pattern held in the first Test as well, with Jadeja removing Stokes in England’s second innings.
Mohammed Siraj Vs Ben Duckett
With Jasprit Bumrah likely to be rested, Mohammed Siraj will be leading India’s pace attack in the second Test. While he picked up just two wickets in Leeds, Siraj constantly asked questions of the England batters.
One key contest to watch will be his duel with Ben Duckett early on. Duckett, fresh off a fourth-innings century in the opener, has scored freely off Siraj in the past, 108 runs without being dismissed. Expect some early fireworks when these two face off.
Prasidh Krishna Vs Joe Root
Prasidh Krishna grabbed five wickets in Leeds but was expensive, going at over six an over. That won’t cut it against Joe Root, who loves batting at Edgbaston, 920 runs at 70.76 says it all. He also averages 75.22 against India at home. Prasidh will need to find control fast, or Root could run away with it.
Shubman Gill Vs Shoaib Bashir
Shubman Gill struck a brilliant 147 in the first Test, but it was Shoaib Bashir who eventually got the better of him. Their battle actually began back in Ranchi, when Bashir trapped Gill LBW in what seemed like a quiet moment.
But with Gill now leading India and Bashir growing into his role as a frontline spinner with 58 wickets in 16 Tests, this duel is shaping into something far more intriguing. Expect another key chapter at Edgbaston.
