England pacer Ben Stokes recorded a resounding 28-run win against India in the first Test played in Hyderabad. While the surface looked easier for the batsmen to hit, the Indian team struggled during the second innings and finished with 202 runs, courtesy of England spinner Tom Hartley’s seven-wicket haul. After winning the first match of the series, England will want to continue their winning streak. On the other hand, India would want to come back and level the series.
While the pitch in Hyderabad was decent for batting during the first three days, the spinners received less help than they would have expected. The Indian team could expect a more spinning surface in the second Test match and the team will go with four spinners. The same will be England’s tactics in Vizag.
England captain Ben Stokes was asked about the pitch in Vizag ahead of the second Test match. Responding to the question, Stokes stated that the pitch could be good on the first two days. However, in India and other parts of the subcontinent, there are more changes as the party deepens.
Ben Stokes gives his opinion on the Vizag pitch
Ben Stokes said: “It could be a good ground for a day or two. But here in India and other parts of the subcontinent, you tend to see it start to spin more and more as the Test gets deeper and deeper.”
Interacting with the media, Ben Stokes said that even after a first look at the pitch there seems to be a bit of moisture on the surface. Stokes added that the footwells and other things on the field will be seen as the game progresses. Stokes stated that the field could play better than last week and that the team will go into the game with some preconceived ideas.
Ben Stokes said: “Although there does seem to be a bit more humidity due to the heat (and it’s very hot again today), any foot holes and things like that could come into play as the test progresses. It may work a little better at first than last week, but we don’t like to go in with too many preconceived ideas.”
England will also miss the services of left-arm bowler Jack Leach as he played with a knee injury during Day 4 of the first Test. Leach also did not participate in the practice session and was receiving treatment for his injury. Ben Stokes and Co. have brought in Shoaib Bashir, who arrived in India after facing issues due to his visa issuance, into the team.
India would also be playing without Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, so the pressure will be on captain Rohit Sharma and pacer Jasprit Bumrah. India could bring in Sarfaraz Khan and Rajat Patidar in place of out-of-form Shreyas Iyer and Shreyas Iyer. Both batsmen have performed very well in the domestic circuit and also in the unofficial Test match against the England Lions.