England vs India 2018: 2nd Lord's Test - India's Predicted XI

Team India will be desperate to level terms in the 2nd Lord’s Test of the five-match Test match series against England in London commencing from August 9 (Thursday). England vs India 2018 Test series is expected to spring few many surprises during the remainder of the gruelling competition. Before revealing India’s predicted XI, we will discuss a bit in brief about the Edgbaston failure.

Meanwhile, India lost the first Test by 31 runs in Birmingham after a brilliant spell from Ben Stokes.

Indian batsmen except skipper Virat Kohli failed to offer any resistance against the English bowlers. Kohli brought his debut hundred in England and backed it with a fighting half-century in the second essay.

However, the batsmen will have to rise to the occasion and take charge on their shoulders. India struggled due to poor starts, and they will be keen not to replicate the mistake again.

Furthermore, Cheteshwar Pujara is likely to return to the first XI after surprisingly missing the series opener.

Ajinkya Rahane also needs to play according to his reputation and provide stability in the middle-order.

Moreover, it is likely that young wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant will make his debut in the Test team at Lord’s.

Pant has shown consistency during India A’s tour in England and will replace Dinesh Karthik, who failed to score runs in the first Test.

India will play the same attack from the first Test, who did brilliantly picking 20 wickets in the Tests. Ravichandran Ashwin led the show along with Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami.

England vs India 2018: Here is India’s predicted XI for the 2nd Lord’s Test –

MURALI VIJAY:

Murali Vijay needs to live up to his reputation as strong Test batsman in overseas conditions.

So much so, he managed to score 26 runs including both the innings at Edgbaston.

However, he will have to provide India with good if visitors have to level back the series in London.

KL RAHUL:

KL Rahul batted at one drop in the first Test and failed miserably. He is likely to replace Shikhar Dhawan for the opening slot, who had a mediocre game at Edgbaston.

However, it will be an acid test for the Karnataka-based batsman to retain his place in the first XI.

CHETESHWAR PUJARA:

Much to everybody’s surprise, Team India management dropped Cheteshwar Pujara from the first Test. Kohli cited his poor form in the recent times as the reason behind his exclusion.

However, Pujara is a vital component in Test side who can see off the new ball in the early stages of the game.

VIRAT KOHLI (C):

Indian skipper, Virat Kohli was the only bright spot from India to offer some resistance against the English bowlers, who otherwise ran over the India batting. He brought his maiden hundred in England and backed it up with a well-made 51 in the second essay, but it went in vain.

Kohli will be keen to level the series and continue to lead his side from the front.

AJINKYA RAHANE:

Team India relies most heavily on their vice-captain, who has a terrific record on overseas conditions. Ajinkya Rahane needs to step up and provide support to Kohli, who waged a lone battle in the first Test.

The batsman from Mumbai will also be eager to score some runs and contribute to team’s success.

RISHABH PANT (WK):

Rishabh Pant is most likely to replace Karthik after the latter failed to impress at Edgbaston. Pant, the young wicket-keeper batsman, possesses a significant prospect and will be keen to make use of this opportunity.

The southpaw has recently played some match-defining knocks for India A in England.

HARDIK PANDYA:

A lot depends on Hardik Pandya, and he needs to stand up and deliver to retain his place in the side. So much so, he needs to learn a thing or so from his counterpart Ben Stokes.

Pandya failed to pick wickets in the first innings, and as a result, Kohli decided not to bowl him in the second essay.

Although he got starts with the bat, he needs to convert those into big scores for the team’s success.

England vs India 2018: India’s Predicted XI for 2nd Lord’s Test –

RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN:

Ravichandran Ashwin has shown why he so highly-rated in this format of the game. His ability to bowl with the new ball and then come back and unleash his variations sets him apart from the rest.

Ashwin returned with seven wickets in the first Test and will hope to continue his form.

However, he needs to contribute with the bat as well to provide depth in the batting order.

ISHANT SHARMA:

Ishant Sharma has already proved what he is capable of delivering in the very first match of the Test series. He returned with a five-for in the second innings – to back his one wicket from the first essay.

The last time he has played a Test in Lord’s, he returned with seven wickets to win the game for his side. He will be desperate to replicate the same effort in the upcoming Test match.

MOHAMMED SHAMI:

Mohammed Shami is exceptional in this kind of conditions, and he has proved it once again in the first innings of the first Test. He can swing the ball both ways and has the ability to reverse the ball when it gets old.

The pacer from Bengal will play a key role for India in this long Test series.

UMESH YADAV:

Umesh Yadav was erratic in the first innings of the first Test against England. However, he improved in the second innings returning with two wickets.

Umesh will have put his excellent effort in the 2nd Lord’s Test and contribute to India’s winning cause.