Is R Ashwin playing: India have made only a change to their Playing XI for the second Test as compared to England’s three changes.
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During the first day of the second Test of the ongoing India’s tour of England at Lord’s, England captain Joe Root has won the toss and chose to bowl.
“Going to bowl. Obviously a tinge of green but it’s more the overhead conditions. Do think it will spin at some point, it generally does here. [Moeen] Ali an experienced campaigner, offers us runs and wickets.
“[James] Anderson went through all of the hurdles you have to jump when you think there could be something wrong. No issues there,” Root told Sky Sports at the toss.
With all-rounder Moeen Ali being added to the squad ahead of this Test, he was always going to play this match. In addition to Ali, batsman Haseeb Hameed and fast bowler Mark Wood have been included to replace Zac Crawley, Dan Lawrence and Stuart Broad.
Having made his debut against India in Rajkot half-a-decade ago, Hameed will be playing his fourth Test today. In three Tests, the right-hand batsman has scored 219 runs at an average of 43.80 including a couple of half-centuries. In 78 first-class matches, Hameed’s 3,946 runs have come at an average of 33.72 comprising of eight centuries and 22 half-centuries.
As far his recent form is concerned, the 24-year old batsman is coming on the back of scoring 642 runs in 15 innings for Nottinghamshire at an average of 45.85 with the help of two centuries and four half-centuries.
Is R Ashwin playing England vs India 2nd Test?
Much like England, India captain Virat Kohli also wanted to bowl first but was unperturbed about being asked to bat first. Kohli revealed that they had announced a 12-member team comprising of Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin but the former ended up making the cut as India have persisted with a four-member specialist pace attack.
“Same, we would’ve bowled first as well. But not too bad batting first as well, good opportunity to put a score. Ishant [Sharma] replaces Shardul [Thakur], that’s the only change. We announced 12 within the group and [Ravichandran] Ashwin definitely was part of that. But this makes the most sense for us as a team.
“We just need to get the job done, whoever it is, that’s our main focus. Especially with crowds back in, it’s a pleasure to be here. An honour to play in front of crowds for what should be a cracker,” Kohli told Sky Sports at the toss.
