Spinner set to make debut in England XI for the second Test
England have named their XI for the second Test of the five-game series against India.
Uncapped spinner Shoaib Bashir is all set to make his debut in the Visakhapatnam Test, as England continue to prefer a three-prong spin attack. Jack Leach is missing from the setup due to a knee injury.
The right-arm off-break Somerset bowler has six first-class games to his name. He has 10 wickets at an average of 67 in red-ball cricket.
Veteran pacer James Anderson also returns in place of Mark Wood. The 41-year-old pacer last featured against Australia at The Oval in July 2023.
England squad for the second Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson
England triumphed against India in adverse circumstances in the first Test in Hyderabad. After conceding a 190-run lead, the team fought on the back of a splendid 196 from Ollie Pope. Tom Hartley's 7/62 in the second innings won them the game by 28 runs.
The second Test will take place from 2 to 6 February in Visakhapatnam.
England are currently 8th on the World Test Championship standings, while India are at No.5.
Schedule:
02-06 February, 2nd Test, Vizag
15-19 February, 3rd Test, Rajkot
23-27 February, 4th Test, Ranchi
07-11 March, 5th Test, Dharamsala