England vs India: The five-match Test series between England and India moves to Edgbaston, Birmingham, for the second encounter, with India looking for a strong comeback after a disappointing loss in the first Test at Headingley. Despite registering five centuries across their two innings, including two from Rishabh Pant, India succumbed to a 5-wicket defeat, showcasing England’s dominant ‘Bazball’ approach in chasing down a massive 373-run target.
England vs India Match Details
England vs India Match Preview
England: England will be brimming with confidence after their clinical chase in the first Test. Ben Duckett’s explosive 149 and Ollie Pope’s century were instrumental in their record-breaking pursuit. Their batting lineup appears aggressive and well-suited to dictating terms, even when chasing big totals. In a significant development, Jofra Archer has been included in England’s squad for the second Test, marking his return to red-ball cricket after four years. This addition will undoubtedly bolster England’s pace attack alongside the likes of Josh Tongue, who impressed in the first Test, and Chris Woakes. England will be keen to maintain their winning momentum and extend their lead to 2-0.
India: For India, the first Test was a harsh reality check. Despite a stellar batting performance that saw five different batters scoring centuries (including two from Rishabh Pant), their bowling unit, particularly the spinners, failed to make an impact on the crucial fourth day. The biggest concern for India is the confirmed absence of their spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested due to workload management. This leaves a significant void in their pace attack. Prasidh Krishna, who debuted in the first Test, proved expensive, conceding over 200 runs across both innings, though he managed to pick up 5 wickets. India’s batting will need to continue its strong form, but the bowlers will have to step up significantly to challenge England in their home conditions and level the series. Questions around the bowling combination, potentially bringing in a second spinner like Kuldeep Yadav or another pacer, will be key discussions for captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir.
Pitch Report (Edgbaston, Birmingham): Edgbaston generally offers a sporting wicket, especially conducive to fast bowlers in the early days of the Test, with good bounce and pace. As the match progresses, it can flatten out and become more batting-friendly. If there’s good sunshine, spinners might find some assistance on days four and five. The average first-innings score at Edgbaston is around 250. Historically, India does not have a great record at this venue in Test matches, which adds another layer of challenge for the visitors.
England vs India Fantasy Tips and Dream11 Prediction
For fantasy cricket enthusiasts, here are some key picks and tips:
Top Picks for your Dream11 Team:
- Batsmen: Ollie Pope (ENG), Rishabh Pant (IND), Joe Root (ENG), Shubman Gill (IND), Ben Duckett (ENG).
- All-rounders: Ben Stokes (ENG), Ravindra Jadeja (IND), Chris Woakes (ENG).
- Bowlers: Josh Tongue (ENG), Jofra Archer (ENG – if he plays), Mohammed Siraj (IND).
Captain/Vice-Captain Choices:
- Captain: Rishabh Pant (IND) – His incredible form in the first Test makes him a strong contender.
- Vice-Captain: Ben Duckett (ENG) – Coming off a match-winning century, his aggressive style can yield big points.
- Differential Pick: Jofra Archer (ENG) – If he plays, his pace and bounce can be devastating, especially on a green Edgbaston wicket.
Team Combination Tips:
- Focus on Pacers: Given Edgbaston’s reputation, prioritize fast bowlers who can generate pace and swing. The inclusion of Archer could be a game-changer.
- In-Form Batters: Select batsmen who showed good touch in the first Test or have a strong record in English conditions.
- All-rounders for Balance: Ravindra Jadeja and Ben Stokes provide valuable contributions with both bat and ball, making them crucial for fantasy teams.
- Consider Spin: While pace dominates, a quality spinner might become effective later in the match if conditions dry out. Kuldeep Yadav could be a good differential pick if he makes the playing XI.
England vs India Dream11 Predicted XI (Subject to final team announcements):
- Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant (IND), Jamie Smith (ENG)
- Batsmen: Ben Duckett (ENG), Ollie Pope (ENG), Shubman Gill (IND), KL Rahul (IND)
- All-rounders: Ben Stokes (ENG), Ravindra Jadeja (IND)
- Bowlers: Jofra Archer (ENG), Josh Tongue (ENG), Mohammed Siraj (IND)
England vs India Match Prediction
England enters this match as favorites, driven by their morale-boosting victory in the first Test and the advantage of playing at home. Their ‘Bazball’ approach, coupled with strong batting performances and the potential return of Jofra Archer, makes them a formidable side. India faces the significant challenge of Jasprit Bumrah’s absence and the need for their supporting bowlers to step up. India’s historically poor record at Edgbaston in Test matches also adds to the pressure.
Our Prediction: England is likely to win the second Test match against India, extending their lead in the series to 2-0.
