VISAKHAPATNAM : Cricket fans are eagerly watching the second Test match between India and England in Visakhapatnam. Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided that India would bat first in the game happening at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA stadium.
Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, the opening pair for India, started their innings carefully this time. In a surprise move, Rajat Patidar got a chance to play in his first Test, taking the place of the injured KL Rahul. Kuldeep Yadav also joined the team, and he played instead of Washington Sundar, offering a spin option instead of an all-rounder like Ravindra Jadeja. Mukesh Kumar replaced Mohammed Siraj as the pacer.
This match was significant for Rajat Patidar as he received his first Test cap, putting an end to the speculation about whether he or Sarfaraz Khan would play.
England, coming off a win in the first Test, made changes to their team. They included three spinners – Tom Hartley, Rehan Ahmed, and Shoaib Bashir – but they lacked experience. James Anderson returned to the squad, replacing Mark Wood.
Some key points to note about the match:
- India has a good record in Visakhapatnam, winning Tests against England in 2016 and South Africa in 2019.
- Rohit Sharma scored memorable centuries as an opener at this venue.
- With KL Rahul out, there was a tough decision to make between Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan for a Test debut.
- James Anderson's return marked his sixth Test tour of India, adding to his impressive career.
- Jasprit Bumrah is close to completing 50 Test wickets against England, needing just three more.
- Ravichandran Ashwin is nearing 500 Test wickets for India, requiring four more dismissals.
As the match unfolds in Visakhapatnam, fans can expect an exciting game with both teams making strategic moves in this five-match series.