IND vs ENG: What should be India’s XI for the second England Test? Wisden India writers pick their teams
One-nil down with four Tests to go, India find themselves in unfamiliar territory at home after their Hyderabad Test loss to England. Ahead of the Visakhapatnam Test, five Wisden India writers pick their preferred XI.
With Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul both out due to injury, there will be at least two forced changes, adding to Virat Kohli’s absence. India have called up Sarfaraz Khan and Saurabh Kumar, with Rajat Patidar being announced earlier as Kohli’s replacement. It leaves India with lots of options and a hard task balancing them all. Despite their selection dilemmas, India are favourites to win the second Test with Betway.
Here’s what the Wisden India writers picked:
Shubman Gill – Zero fifties in last 10 Test innings ❌
Shreyas Iyer – Zero fifties in last 10 Test innings ❌India's youngsters are struggling to score big runs in the longest format of the game.#ShubmanGill #ShreyasIyer #India #Cricket #Tests pic.twitter.com/xlRVSgcB95
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) January 29, 2024
Aadya Sharma
Wisden India editor
Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, KS Bharat (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
It might take four spinners to counter the growing England threat, especially on a surface that is likely to be prepared to turn. Shubman Gill – despite being out of form – can hold his place for the sake of some batting continuity in an already shaken lineup. Kuldeep Yadav is a must, Sundar can come in for Jadeja to maintain balance, while Rajat Patidar can pip the other potential debutant Sarfaraz Khan for KL Rahul’s spot.
Abhishek Mukherjee
Wisden India head of content
Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rajat Patidar, Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, KS Bharat (wk), Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
Shubman Gill’s already ordinary home average of 29.33 drops to 22.29 if one removes the hundred on the flat Ahmedabad deck. His discomfort against spin has also been apparent, and perhaps it is time to replace him with Rajat Patidar at one-drop. Sarfaraz Khan will be a like-for-like replacement for KL Rahul and Washington Sundar for Ravindra Jadeja. Washington’s bowling record does not match Jadeja’s, but that can be countered by replacing Mohammed Siraj with Kuldeep Yadav.
29 January, 2024: Sarfaraz Khan was given his maiden India call-up.
30 January, 2024: His brother Musheer Khan scores his second hundred in three innings in the under-19 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/NSHi2mvZPS
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) January 30, 2024
Atri Sanfui
Wisden India staff writer
Naman Agarwal
Wisden India staff writer
Sarah Waris
Wisden India staff writer
Even though there’s a call to drop Shubman Gill, I would be eager to give him one more game till Virat Kohli returns. Dropping him and going with two debutants in an already weak middle order is too risky, and I hope he can bring forward his experience in the second Test.
Iyer’s place is under scrutiny as well, but he is one of the best spin bashers in the side and if England play an all-spin attack, he will be key. Between Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan, I have gone with the latter. A call-up was long due and it’s time he shows his talent on the biggest stage as well. I would have wanted Mohammed Siraj in my XI – there’s no better sight than watching two fast bowlers with the new ball on day one of a Test irrespective of the conditions, but I have gone with Kuldeep Yadav to make up for the absence of Ravindra Jadeja the bowler.
