The record books would show India versus England first Test at Rajkot ended in a draw. What they won’t show is the fact that India struggled to pull off a draw in its home condition, an occasion which is rare in the recent past, and to be able to do that to India, it’s no less than a victory for England. Full marks to England for the way they batted and bowled, especially their spinners. Vishakhapatnam might be a different track altogether and that can be a huge factor because Rajkot wasn’t a rank turner by any means and maybe that’s what played a crucial role in the game shaping the way it did.
Come Vishakhapatnam and both the teams are expected to make changes. England would welcome James Anderson in the side, but whom he would replace might be a tricky question -- perhaps Chris Woakes. On the other hand, Indian opener KL Rahul is all set to make a comeback in the team and Gautam Gambhir might be replaced and this was perhaps the last of him we saw in the international stage, but you never know.
It would be interesting to see how India go about doing things now because mentally they know that England were outstanding in the first match. India would really need to lift their fielding up and take their chances. England will look to continue their good work and not try too many things but stick to the basics and execute plans to perfection.
The toss and the pitch can also decide the course of the match. As the sun rises, we have another interesting contest lined up our way.
Let’s look at the players who can make a difference in the match at Vizag:
India
KL Rahul
All set to make a comeback in the team, KL Rahul has already got three centuries to his name in the short career that he has had so far. His transition from T20 to Test has been very smooth and a delight to watch. England also might not know so much of him and he could be a surprise package for them, Rahul with Murali Vijay will be key to India’s batting start and it is so important to start well.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is one such man who hates losing and getting out, and he would come back at you and so the most important person in the Indian batting line up. Kohli has a point to prove both with the bat and as a captain against England. Virat Kohli averages in the 20s against England, a record which definitely he would like to change and there could be no big an occasion and 2nd Test match which might turn out to be the turning point in the series.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin has very rarely been brought under the hammer off late because of his tremendous performances. But after his average performance in Rajkot, Ashwin would want to come back strong at the opposition. And India would hope that he comes good and proves why he is one of the best bowlers in world Cricket at the moment.
Amit Mishra
Amit Mishra is perhaps the most underrated bowler in the Indian team. Whenever he gets an opportunity he does his work silently and that’s a special quality. To be a part of team where you are not a frontline spinner and yet being able to make the adjustment and pick up wickets and create pressure from his end while bowling in partnerships is something that Mishra can be proud of. Although the England batsmen might look to attack him, that’s his best chance of picking up wickets.
England
James Andereson
The right handed fast bowler, who missed the first Test is also expected to make a comeback in the team, and it would be amazing to see his bowling do the talking for him. Anderson vs Kohli would also be a contest cricket fans across the globe would be waiting to witness. If Anderson makes his ball his slave, England will have more chances of winning not only the match but also the series.
Adil Rashid
This leg bowler had a tremendous game in Rajkot. The spin department was something that England were not looking strong at, when looked on paper. Rashid proved that even if we just apply ourselves to the situation we can be successful in picking up wickets and breaking partnerships.
Haseeb Hameed
There were six centuries in the match at Rajkot, yet the man who caught the eye the most was young 19-year-old Haseeb Hameed. The innings of 80 odd runs he played in the second innings were fabulous to say the least. Hameed definitely is a man with infinite scope for development and on his first tour to India, where Days 1 and 2 are as beautiful batting pitches as you could get anywhere in the world, Hameed might still have a lot to say with the bat and announce his arrival at world cricket.
Joe Root
Cometh the hour, cometh the man! First Test, first innings, England 3 down for 100 odd runs, Root comes to rescue. Root is a big match player and England will hope that his century at Rajkot might have set the tone of his success in the rest of the tour because Root is an impact player and also one of those players who can take the game away from you single-handedly.