IND vs ENG: No Jadeja and Rahul, Leach in doubt – What changes could both sides make for the second Test?

India will already have to make two enforced changes to their XI, after Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul were ruled out of the Test. Jadeja picked up a hamstring injury during the first Test, while Rahul complained of quadriceps pain.

They have been replaced in India’s squad by Sarfaraz Khan and Washington Sundar, both of whom were participating in the India A series against England Lions. Left-arm spinner Sourabh Kumar has also been added to the squad. Virat Kohli will not be back for the Vizag game, having previously announced he will miss the first two Tests of the series for personal reasons.

England may also have to make an enforced change after Jack Leach sustained a knee injury on the first day in Hyderabad. Leach picked up the injury when diving in an attempt to save a boundary, but aggravated it the following morning. He was able to bowl in the fourth innings, but only sent down ten overs, with much responsibility in both innings falling to Joe Root to make up Leach’s overs.

England’s spin bowling coach, Jeetan Patel, speaking after the end of Day Two said the injury “must be pretty serious”. No official news has been released as to whether Leach will be able to play in the second Test on Friday (February 2).

Aside from those unavoidable changes, both sides have several options to alter their XIs based on conditions. Here’s what they could go for.

India

Who will replace Rahul?

Rahul was one of three batters who made scores of 80 plus in India’s first innings and gave some stability to an inexperienced middle order. In a straight swap for the No.4 position, India’s options to replace him leave their batting order with a dearth of experience. Rajat Patidar was called up to the squad after Kohli was ruled out and could be the one to come in. He scored hundreds in the first and second unofficial Tests vs England Lions. Sarfaraz could also take the spot, having scored a rapid century in the India A game earlier this week. With it likely to come down to a straight shootout between the two, whichever one gets the nod will be making their Test debut.

Will Shubman Gill play?

Gill has now not passed fifty in a Test match since his century against Australia in Ahmedabad last March. He was dismissed for 23, playing a terrible shot to pick out Ben Duckett in the deep, in the first innings in Hyderabad, and went for a second-ball duck in the second. While time is starting to run out for Gill before he spends a period on the sidelines, the lack of other options and experience India have might mean he continues for at least another Test. Dropping him would likely mean including Patidar and Sarfaraz, putting a lot of pressure on both with little to fall back on. However, should he fail in Vizag and both Kohli and Rahul be available for the third Test, it’s more likely he’ll be out of the XI.

How many spinners/who will replace Jadeja?

Missing the services of Jadeja poses a difficult question of how India balance their side. The spare spinner in India’s original squad was Kuldeep Yadav, who would also add another spin variation to the side. However, including Kuldeep in a straight swap for Jadeja would significantly weaken India’s batting lineup, with Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah already making up Nos. 10 and 11. It would also mean KS Bharat moving up to No.6 and Ashwin up to seven, with Axar Patel at eight. However, if the Vizag pitch looks to be a raging turner ahead of the start of the Test, India could include Kuldeep for Jadeja, and drop Siraj, who only bowled 11 wicketless overs in the entirety of the Hyderabad Test, for another specialist bat. That would leave India with three spinners and one seamer.

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India could also take the same approach and include four spinners in their XI. By bringing Kuldeep in for Siraj and freeing up space higher in the batting order, one of Sundar or Sourabh Kumar could come in further up to spread the bowling load. Sundar last played a Test match in 2021 against England in Ahmedabad. He took one wicket in that game but scored an important 96* in India’s innings victory. Sourabh is yet to make his Test debut, but took a five-for against England Lions earlier this week and scored 77 batting at No.8.

England

Leach’s replacement

Given the quick turnaround between Tests and the length of the series, it wouldn’t be a surprise if England choose to ensure Leach’s knee has adequate time to heal, and rest him for Vizag. His replacement will also depend on the pitch prepared and how England want to balance their side. Leach’s injury also poses a tough task for England’s young spin attack, with the three other frontliners having a combined three Test caps between them.

England went into Hyderabad with only one seamer (Mark Wood) in their XI. At the end of Day One, in hindsight and with James Anderson running the drinks, that looked like an error. Leach’s injury could give Anderson a chance to come back into the side, with Ollie Robinson also an option. Joe Root’s success with the ball in Hyderabad should enable Ben Stokes to spread the load adequately among his spinners with another fast-bowler in the XI.

A Test debut for Shoaib Bashir?

Following the visa-saga which ruled him out of selection for the first Test, Shoaib Bashir has joined up with the England squad in India and will be available for Vizag. Leach’s injury provides an avenue for him into the side for his Test debut. If Leach doesn’t play, there’s no way around England’s worryingly inexperienced spin attack. Tom Hartley excelled in the second innings in Hyderabad but found life difficult in the first, and Rehan Ahmed would be the senior specialist in just his third Test. Rehan also leaked runs in the first Test and will be under more pressure in the second if Leach isn’t part of the side. Regardless of whether Bashir gets a Test debut or England do opt for a second seamer, Vizag will be a huge challenge for England’s young spin attack.