IND v ENG 2021, 2nd Test: India's predicted playing XI

The absurdity of the COVID-19 era sees two India-England Test matches being played on the same ground. While England would hardly mind returning to the venue of a famous recent victory, India will be sweating hard - not just to shine the ball for another lifeless pitch, but to salvage their pride and fight for ICC World Test Championship points.

Going by the first Test's script, the MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch should favour the batsmen for the first two days before deteriorating thereon. Although India were at the mercy of the toss, the hosts will look to tweak some controllables - their fielding, control with the ball and intent with the bat.

Here is India's predicted playing XI for the 2nd Test against England.

---

Openers: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill

Rohit Sharma tested the team management's support in the first Test.

While Rohit Sharma looked comfortable against the Australian pace attack, he was knocked over early twice by England at home. India do have experienced backups in the form of Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul, but given their intention of backing a steady opening partnership, expect Rohit to continue in the role for at least one more game. Pressure on his place has brought out the best in the past, and Indian fans would be hoping for some runs from Rohit's bat in the 2nd Test.

Partnering him will be Shubman Gill, who outshone his experienced opening partner in terms of both fluency and runs on the board. Though Gill got an unplayable reverse-swinger from James Anderson to keep up his low conversion ratio, he otherwise looked quite comfortable against both pace and spin. A dominant innings to win India the game should only add to his already burgeoning reputation.

Middle order: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk)

Virat Kohli would look to get into run-scoring ways like his English counterpart.

Cheteshwar Pujara is easily one of India's most crucial batsmen in the longest format. While the free run-scoring appeared to have dried up on the recent tour to Australia, he scored at a brisk clip against England in the first Test. Until his dismissal via a stroke of luck, he looked good to register a big score, and should make amends in this game.

Right after him bats Virat Kohli, Indian captain and top-5 Test batsman. Though Kohli showed a lot of application and delayed the inevitable in the second innings, it wasn't to be. Indian fans will be hoping Kohli breaks his lengthening international streak without a century in any format - the first Test indicated he is in the right form to do that.

Under some pressure would be the man in next, Ajinkya Rahane, who endured a poor outing in the previous game. Although he stood up brilliantly as captain against Australia, his batting in Indian conditions would be under the scanner. Expect Rahane to come out with a resolve to lay these questions to rest next game.

One of the biggest heroes of India's miraculous series win in Australia, Rishabh Pant looks in fine form and should continue to put pressure on the opposition with his fast-paced knocks. It is behind the stumps that he could look to improve, although he has cemented his place as keeper-batsman for now.

---

All-rounder: Washington Sundar

An excellent start with the bat aside, Sundar will look to cement his bowling credentials.

Though Washington Sundar hardly did anything with ball in hand for India, as he went wicketless in the first innings and was trusted to bowl a solitary over in the second, he should play the second Test. With India's batting frailties - a misfiring opening pair, a tentative Rahane, an under-pressure Kohli - Sundar's batting cover will be instrumental to the team from a No. 7 position. Some accuracy with the ball whenever he is needed would be a huge bonus to the team.

---

Bowlers: R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah

R Ashwin should be England's biggest threat on his home turf.

Having slipped from the all-rounders category in recent years, R Ashwin did show his ability with the bat in the first Test, apart from saving India a Test match in Melbourne. It is with the ball though that he looks in prime form, with nine wickets to his name last match. India would want him to shepherd the inexperienced spin unit to a strong team showing next game.

The most important toss-up for India will be between Kuldeep Yadav and Shahbaz Nadeem. The voices calling for Kuldeep's inclusion grew louder after Nadeem's flat show. The complication with playing Kuldeep - who can also hang around with the bat - is that he turns the ball into the right hander, leaving Kohli with three spinners who do the same. Still, the wrist-spin variation might add an element of surprise against England.

Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah should continue as the leaders of the Indian attack after a credible, economical display against England in the first Test. All they would wish for is more support from the other bowlers this game.