Team India's strongest playing XI for the second Test

India is currently playing a five-match Test series against England. According to the schedules, the first match of the series started on the 1st of August. The Virat Kohli-led Indian team were on track but lost the thrilling encounter against England at Edgbaston.

The Indian team will play the second Test against England at Lord's on Thursday (August 9th). After the decent performance from the Indian players in the first Test, the team management might make a few changes for the second Test.

Full Squad: Virat Kohli (C), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (VC), Karun Nair, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur

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Openers:

Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan

Leicestershire v India - Tour Match

The Tamil Nadu cricketer, Murali Vijay has failed to contribute with the bat in the first Test at Edgbaston. He managed to score just 20 and 6 runs in the first and second innings respectively. He has been an important member of the Indian team in the longest format of the game on previous occasions. He should step up and deliver his best to put the pressure on England bowlers.

On the other hand, Shikhar Dhawan also failed to score runs that put pressure on the middle-order. He was in good form during the Test match against Afghanistan but struggled to score runs against the likes of Anderson and Broad. On his day, he can take the game away from the opposition in one session. Dhawan managed to score just 39 runs in the first Test match. He should provide a good platform for the middle-order in the second Test.

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Middle Order:

Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane

England v India: Specsavers 1st Test - Day Four

Cheteshwar Pujara, who was dropped from the first Test, might make a comeback again to the side for the second Test. Pujara was replaced by KL Rahul, who has been in good form since IPL 2018. However, he failed to grab the opportunity in the first Test as he scored 17 runs. Pujara should deliver his best to win the second Test.

The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli is currently one of the best batsmen across all formats of the game. He was criticized for his poor Test series way back in 2014. But, the lone warrior for the Indian team, managed to gather a much needed 149 and a 50 in the first and second innings respectively. However, his brilliant knocks went in vain. He will be crucial for India's chances in the 2nd Test given his form.

The vice-captain of the Indian Test team, Ajinkya Rahane, has been in poor form. He has been one of the most consistent players, especially in the overseas conditions. However, he managed to score just 17 runs in the first game that affected India much heavily. Rahane should step up in the second Test to put the pressure on England bowlers.

Wicket-keeper and All-rounder:

Dinesh Karthik and Ravindra Jadeja

England v India: Specsavers 1st Test - Day Two

When Wriddhiman Saha was ruled out of the series, Dinesh Karthik became the first-choice wicket-keeper. There was a huge expectation from him, but he failed to perform in both innings as he managed to score just 20 runs in the first game. He should deliver with the bat to win the second Test against England.

Ravindra Jadeja might break into the side for the second Test game against England. He may replace the Baroda all-rounder, Hardik Pandya in the next game. Hardik Pandya has failed to contribute with both bat and ball. While he went wicketless in the first innings, he did not bowl a single over in the second innings. Team India might remove him for the second Test to strengthen the batting order.

Spinner:

Ravichandran Ashwin

England v India: Specsavers 1st Test - Day One

The right-arm off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin picked up some important wickets in the first Test match at Edgbaston. He has taken 4 and 3 wickets in the first and second innings respectively. Ashwin dismissed Alastair Cook in both the innings to create a platform for the other bowlers. The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli may expect the same performance from him to destroy the England batting line-up.

Fast Bowlers:

Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammed Shami

England v India: Specsavers 1st Test - Day Three

Jasprit Bumrah is expected to be fit for India's second Test against England at Lord's. He might replace Umesh Yadav, who went for quite a few runs and picked up just 3 wickets in the first Test. Bumrah will be vital for India's chances in the second Test.

Ishant Sharma proved his worth when his team needed him most in the overseas conditions. He picked up five wickets in the second innings, including Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, and Jos Buttler. He will be looking to continue the same performance in the second Test.

The Indian pacer Mohammed Shami picked up some important wickets in the first Test match. He dismissed the likes of Keaton Jennings, Dawid Malan, and Sam Curran. Shami is also likely to get his place in the playing XI for the next game at Lord's.