Jasprit Bumrah not playing: The Indian spearhead has been surprisingly not included in the Playing XI for this match.
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During the first day of the second Test of the ongoing England’s tour of India in Chennai, India captain Virat Kohli has won the toss and chose to bat to hand his team significant advantage at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
“It’s a good wicket. Day 1 is going to be good for batting. We expect it to slow down from Day 2 onwards. It’s good toss to win, we need to put runs on the board. It’s important to put things into right perspective. It all comes down to mindset, everyone wants to win everywhere and that’s the kind of competetitive cricket we play,” Kohli told Star Sports at the toss.
Much like Kohli, England captain Joe Root also revealed his desire to bat first. Given how well England played in the first match after batting first, it was expected that they would’ve decided the same upon winning the toss.
“We would have batted first as well. We gotta try and take early wickets. Hopefully, we can make some inroads this morning. With Jimmy [James Anderson], we are making sure he gets as much cricket as possible. With last two games, it gives him the best chance to be ready.
“Coming to this surface, We are trying to find the right balance and attack that we think is going to take 20 wickets played big first innings runs. it will be a different challenge here. We are full of confidence and have done the hard work. Chris Woakes is the one to miss out,” Root told Star Sports at the toss.
England, who had announced a 12-member squad yesterday, have preferred the pace of Olly Stone in place of Chris Woakes’ control. Having made his Test debut against Ireland in 2019, Stone will be playing his first away Test today.
Why is Jasprit Bumrah not playing today’s second Test in Chennai?
Compared to England’s four changes, India have made three changes to their XI. While uncapped all-rounder Axar Patel has been handed a Test debut, the likes of spinner Kuldeep Yadav and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj been included for this match.
Spinner Shahbaz Nadeem, who didn’t have the best of matches at the same venue, has been replaced by Patel. With the Chepauk surface expected to turn a lot more in this match, playing Yadav in place of all-rounder Washington Sundar was also on the expected lines. However, the hosts have surprised one and all by resting spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
Time for my silly jokes.
This is not a hoax.
England are playing Foakes & Stokes,
but no Woakes. #INDvsENG— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) February 13, 2021
“There is a reason why we played the combination in the last game because Axar [Patel] was injured. Unfortunately, Washington [Sundar] even after doing well misses out. Kuldeep Yadav replaces him.
“[Shahbaz] Nadeem makes way for Axar. Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for this game. We need to manage his work load. Mohammad Siraj comes in for him and he brings good variety,” Kohli said at the toss.
