Shoaib Bashir to Make Debut, James Anderson Replaces Mark Wood as England Name Playing XI For 2nd Test

England have announced their playing XI for the second Test against India as they made a couple of changes for the Vizag clash which will start on February 2. Jack Leach, who sustained a knee injury in the Hyderabad Test, has been replaced by Shoaib Bashir who will be making his international debut.

While England decided to include pace great James Anderson in place of Mark Wood as they will continue to play with a combination of one pacer and three specialist spinners with an additional option of Joe Root as a part-timer.

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Leach sustained an injury on his left knee while fielding during England’s thrilling 28-run win over India in the series opener at Hyderabad last week.

The left-arm spinner claimed only two wickets in the opening Test but he gave able support to debutant Tom Hartely in the second innings to put pressure on the Indian batters.

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Leach is the most experienced specialist spinner in the England squad on the India tour and his absence will hurt the visitors in Vizag.

Pacer Mark Wood had failed to make an impact in Hyderabad and the visitors decided to go ahead with veteran James Anderson who can swing the ball both ways if there is any assistance for pacers.

The ACA-VDCA stadium has staged two Tests till date and the pitch usually favours the batters in the first innings.

England have thrown down the gauntlet with a sensational result and it remains to be seen what kind of surface India go with as they seek to draw parity.

England Playing XI for 2nd Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, James Anderson, Shoaib Bashir