Last Updated on 4 weeks by Charbel Coorey

IND vs ENG 2nd Test Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | IND vs ENG 2nd Test Dream11 Prediction Today | India vs England 2nd Test Key Players | Chennai Pitch Report

After many predicted that India would sweep this four-match series, England proved that they are not here to be pushovers. England’s fantastic Chennai victory – their sixth straight in Asia – has set the scene for the remainder of what promises to be a fascinating series.

Indeed, England did get the best of the conditions in the first Test. However, the way they utilised these conditions was most impressive, including the fact that they gave the pitch a chance to deteriorate in their favour after batting a mammoth 190.1 overs in the first dig. The superb Joe Root led the way, and England would want more of the same from the in-form captain, with apt support from batsmen and bowlers alike. So, the challenge for the tourists will be whether they can back up a great performance with another at the same venue.

India, just like the case after a harrowing defeat in Australia, will have to come back from 1-0 down. Virat Kohli’s men barely got a sniff in the opening Test, so improvement in all three facets of the game is required here. The bowlers’ ability to find penetration will come under question again, as well as the ability of the batsmen to avoid losing a cluster of wickets.

Interestingly, losing a cluster of wickets would have been something for England to avoid ahead of the series. That certainly remains the case, but India, the home side, are in the same boat. And, perhaps most importantly, if India lose this Test, then they are out of contention for the World Test Championship Final. What a letdown that would be after one of their greatest overseas triumphs just last month.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

India:

• Virat Kohli played superbly on a tough pitch in the second innings of the first Test. The Indian skipper now has one fifty and one century in two Tests at Chennai, and he will be crucial here. Remember, he scored a massive 655 runs in five Tests against England in 2016, at an average of 109.16.
• Rohit Sharma had a poor first Test (6 & 12), but still averages 79 in 15 home Tests. If India get the opportunity to bat first, he will be a key wicket.
• Cheteshwar Pujara has scored three fifties in his last three Tests. His 73 in the first Test was impressive, before an unlucky dismissal ended his stay. Also, he averaged 52.97 vs England in 2016 (401 runs). Key player.
• Rishabh Pant has made three scores in the 90s (92, 92 and 91) in three home Tests. His battle with Jack Leach will be one to watch.
• Ravichandran Ashwin is coming off a six-wicket haul in the second innings. This was an improvement on his overall record vs England, which reads 65 wickets in 16 Tests at an average of 34.64.
• Jasprit Bumrah sent down 42 overs for a total of 4/110 in the first Test. With some reverse swing expected to be on offer, Bumrah will be a key weapon for India.

England:

• Joe Root is in career-best form. He has plundered scores of 228, 186 and 218 in his three Tests in 2021. Also, he now has the most runs of any current player in India-England Tests, with 1,679 runs in 17 Tests at an average of 62.18.
• Dominic Sibley played nicely in the first innings of the first Test, batting 286 balls for his 87 to keep India at bay. Can he produce that kind of innings again in this game?
• Ben Stokes had a limited role with the ball, but made an impact with the bat. He is coming off a brisk 82 (118), which has taken his batting average in India to nearly 40 (39.45).
• Can Jack Leach back up a strong performance with another? After conceding his first 100 runs in 20 overs (no wickets), he then took 6/81 in his next 30 overs.

Stats and Facts

• R Ashwin has the most wickets of any current cricketer at Chepauk (22, average: 27.81).
• Joe Root averages 64.76 in seven Tests in India.
• Ben Foakes is set to play. He made a great impression against spin in Asia in 2018, striking a century on debut away in Sri Lanka.

Possible Playing 11

Axar Patel is available for selection and could come in for Washington Sundar. Also, Kuldeep Yadav is a good chance to play after Nadeem was released from the squad.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shubman Gill, 3. Cheteshwar Pujara, 4. Virat Kohli (c), 5. Ajinkya Rahane, 6. Rishabh Pant (wk), 7. Axar Patel, 8. R Ashwin, 9. Ishant Sharma, 10. Kuldeep Yadav, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

There will be a few changes for England:

• Jos Buttler has headed home for rest. Ben Foakes is set to replace him.
• Jofra Archer is out with an elbow injury. James Anderson is set to be rested. So, it is likely that Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad will play.
• Dominic Bess is also set to be rested. This could pave the way for Moeen Ali to play in this Test. Moeen does have good memories of this ground, as he scored a century here in 2016.

England: 1. Rory Burns, 2. Dominic Sibley, 3. Dan Lawrence, 4. Joe Root (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Ollie Pope, 7. Ben Foakes (wk), 8. Moeen Ali, 9. Chris Woakes, 10. Jack Leach, 11. Stuart Broad

Chepauk Pitch Report and Weather

A photo of the pitch suggests that this track will certainly support the spinners. It looks quite dry and bare on top, so a good first innings score will provide a huge stronghold in the match.

It will be hot, humid and sunny throughout the Test, which will test the players. Also, this will bring spin and reverse swing well into play, especially from days two and three.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Will the toss decide this Test? The beauty about Test cricket in 2021 is that teams who have won the toss haven’t always gone on to win. However, the team who bowls first here needs to be able to build pressure and take wickets to stay in the game. India start as favourites and can be backed to win, but a lot will depend on how well their spinners can pressure England, as well as how many big partnerships they can string together.

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