England will be brimming with confidence as they head into the second Test match against India at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam commencing on February 2 (Friday). The visitors beat India by 28 runs in the series opener of the five-match Test series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The Three Lions-led by Ben Stokes had a practice session on the eve of the second Test.
Even though Stokes had ruled out the possibility of him rolling his arms over in the match and confirmed that he will be plying his trade as a specialist batter in the Vizag Test, he was seen practising his skills with the ball with a short run-up on the eve of the match. The video of Stokes’ bowling with barely a two-step run-up has surfaced online and serves as as a testimony to what he himself said ahead of the match, there is still time to go before he will bowl full-tilt.
Take a look at the viral video here:
Stokes bowling again. Long way to go. But progress. pic.twitter.com/SfoNqz1eee
— George Dobell (@GeorgeDobell1) February 1, 2024
England Announce Playing 11 For Second Test
Meanwhile, the touring party has announced their Playing 11 for the second Test a day prior to the commencement of the fixture. England were forced to rope in a replacement for Jack Leach who sustained an injury during the first Test match. On the other hand, they have given a match to the experienced speedster James Anderson who comes in the place of Mark Wood. Rest of the side remains unchanged.
India, too, have to make at least a couple of forced changes with both Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul having to miss out due to injuries. However, it is still not clear who will come in their places as captain Rohit Sharma will announced the 11 at toss.
