India lost the first test to England by 227 runs to found themselves trailing in the four match test series 1-0. Toss plays a major role in Indian conditions and the pendulum swung in the favour of England after Joe Root won the toss and chose to bat first. The pitch had nothing for the bowlers in the starting two days and English batsman capitalized and that put the end to India’s challenge in the encounter.
Indian batters were left to play out of their skin at a wicket which was deteriorating and could not eke their way ahead in the game and as a result, England registered their biggest ever victory in India. The loss had blown some questions on the selection of the team and things need to be sorted out before the second test rolls out from 13th February in Chennai.
Here are the three changes which India needs to make for the second test-
3- Kuldeep Yadav in place of Shahbaz Nadeem
Nadeem looked totally off colour in the first test. The Bihar born Jharkhand bound cricketer is one of the most seasoned campaigner in the domestic circuit, who started his career at a minor age of just 14. He was expected to make the most of the Indian conditions but he leaked 167 runs in the first innings and picked two important wickets of Joe Root and Ben Stokes.
He bowled good in patches but could not continue to deliver on regular basis that hurt the team. In the second innings, he again picked two wickets but proved costly on a track which was helping the spinners on the fourth day of the test match.
Someone like Kuldeep Yadav can replace him to better India’s chances in the second test. Kuldeep has more experience of playing International cricket which can turn the tables for India. The Kanpur man is benched from a long time and less fancied players are getting picked over him which can make him an injured lion and he can prove a point by his performance.
2- Axar Patel in place of Washington Sundar
Patel was injured before the start of first test which opened the doors for Washington Sundar in the playing 11. The Chennai man proved effective with the ball in Australia but he could not replicate the same in his home conditions and returned wicketless in the first test.
The 21-year-old contributed with the bat but failure with the ball put more pressure on Ashwin to strike that didn’t help the cause of the team.
With Axar getting fit, it is likely that the Gujarat man will be picked over Sundar for the second test.
1- KL Rahul in place of Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma can be devastating with the bat when he gets going but it has not been the case for the Mumbai lad as far as the longest version of the game is concerned. Sharma has been dismissed playing foul shots in the Australia test series and eyebrows were raised on his shot selection in the first test against England as well. A firm opening stand puts pressure on the opposition but it has not been the case with Virat Kohli led team.
With lack of form in test of Rohit Sharma, Karnataka lad KL Rahul can be considered to open with an in form Shubman Gill. Rahul started his career as a test specialist but then he became an all format player and gradually lost his touch in test cricket. He started failing and got dropped from the team. He might get another run as an opener and some good performances are sure to make him a regular opener for the Indian team.
