IND vs ENG 2021: 5 players to watch out for in the second Test
Cricket
Virat Kohli has gone without a century for almost two years now. So far this year, Kohli has only accumulated 229 runs from six Tests, at a rather underwhelming average of 25.44. Moreover, the talismanic run-scorer was out for a first-ball duck in the first Test off James Anderson.
Virat Kohli
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So Kohli will look to bounce off the blocks and silence his critics with a monstrous innings. The India captain looked focused in the training sessions leading up to the second Test, suggesting that a big knock is around the corner. Although the odds seem to be against him, with a highest score of 25 at the iconic Lord's ground, all eyes will be on Virat Kohli.
England captain Joe Root single-handedly carried the fragile English batting in the Trent Bridge Test. After a fine knock of 64 in the first innings, Root played an outstanding innings of 109 against a potent Indian attack when the other England batters struggled to get going.
Joe Root
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The onus will once again be on the England captain to produce fine knocks and lead the hosts from the front. Lord's has been a good hunting ground for Joe Root, where he has a double century and a few big hundreds. So, Root will look to build on his exploits in the second Test.
Jasprit Bumrah, who copped a lot of criticism following his below-par performance in the WTC final against New Zealand, bounced back in style in the first Test. He was at the heart of India's stellar show with the ball, returning with nine wickets, including a five-wicket haul.
Jasprit Bumrah
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He looked to have rediscovered his mojo and hit the right areas, making things difficult for the England batters. The hosts will be wary of Bumrah's threat at Lord's. Bumrah, who has 23 wickets from five Tests in England, will look to add more to his tally at Lord's.
Rohit Sharma's credentials will be under the scanner when he goes out to bat at the iconic Lord's Stadium in London. The opener looked patient and determined in the first Test, but failed to capitalise on his start.
Rohit Sharma
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He scored 36 in the first essay off 114 deliveries and contributed 12* in the second before rain washed out the entire day 5 of the series opener. So, Rohit Sharma will be desperate to put some runs under the belt.
Jonny Bairstow is the most experienced England batsman in the side after Joe Root. England will want the swashbuckling 75-Test veteran batsman to dish out a big knock at Lord's.
Jonny Bairstow
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Bairstow has had a good run at this ground, scoring a couple of centuries, including an unbeaten 167 against Sri Lanka in 2016. The 31-year-old, who failed to convert starts in the first Test, making scores of 29 and 30, would want to play a big innings and shoulder some responsibility alongside Root.