India vs England – 2nd Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is India vs England taking place? Saturday, February 13th, 2021 – 04:00 (UK)
Where is India vs England taking place? MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
What is the expected weather for India vs England? 28-29c with sunshine forecast all five days
What channel is India vs England on? The match will be televised live on Channel 4
Where can I stream India vs England? The match can be streamed live via SkyGo
LAST MEETING
England beat India by 227 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
INDIA
- India were stunned in the first Test as England outplayed them all the way through the opening game as the toss proved decisive and there will be no doubting what the team that wins the toss will do once again in Chennai.
- Virat Kohli’s men are under some pressure to fightback here and they may consider some changes to the bowling unit in an attempt to pose the English batsmen more problems so Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav are both in contention as more attacking spin options.
- While the batting did not quite perform to expectations last time out, it is unlikely they will make any changes but the pressure is on Rohit, Shubman Gill and Pujara at the top of the order to spend much more time at the crease.
ENGLAND
- England produced a superb all-round display in the first Test to comfortably win by 227 runs and they had skipper Joe Root to thank for his first-innings double ton but they will be expecting a backlash from the hosts here.
- Despite the victory, they have announced changes to their squad for this game as Jofra Archer is injured and Jos Buttler has gone home, while Jimmy Anderson and Dom Bess will both be rested as Stuart Broad, Ben Foakes, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes are expected to come into the side.
- The one position that does seem up for grabs is between Woakes and Olly Stone although the greater experience of Woakes may just give him the edge rather than expose Stone in what could be difficult conditions.
THE PREDICTION
The second Test takes place in Chennai once again but the hosts will be looking for a different outcome as they are under pressure to level the series. England are making various rotations so it will be interesting to see whether those players coming in can hit the ground running. That will not be easy against this fired up Indian side but much will come down to who wins the toss once again. The formula will once again be to win the toss and bat first and there is every chance the outcome could come down to who wins the toss. They will still of course need to bat well but whoever bats first has to be favoured. England can play without pressure but they will need to match the intensity of the hosts who will be all guns blazing here. That could just about give them the edge and on a track that is expected to spin even more than the first Test, the better Indian spinners are favoured ultimately.
