Big News: England announce playing XI for 2nd Test vs India, Jack Leach's replacement named as James Anderson returns

England announced their playing XI for the second Test against India and have included Shoaib Bashir and James Anderson in their final XI for the all-important clash.

Abhijeet Kumar Singh

• Thu • 01 Feb 2024

England's Joe Root (left), captain Ben Stokes (centre) and pace legend James Anderson in this frame. (Getty)

Highlights:

England have revealed their playing XI for 2nd Test against England.

Shoaib Bashir has made the cut in England's playing XI while James Anderson will return to fold in 2nd Test vs India.

England have announced their playing XI for the second Test against India which is slated to start from February 2 in Visakhapatnam. While pace legend James Anderson returned to the fold, Shoaib Bashir has been also included in England's Test fold as Jack Leach's replacement, who has been ruled out of the second Test due to knee injury.

England's three-spinner strategy

Bashir's inclusion means England will persist with their three-spinner strategy – Tom Hartley, Rehan Ahmed, and the part-time spin of Joe Root, supported by James Anderson as the sole pace bowler – in the second Test. This combination proved effective for the daring England side in the first Test, with Hartley delivering a stunning performance in Hyderabad, claiming seven wickets in the second innings to stun India.

At just 20 years old and with only six First-Class games to his name, Bashir's introduction to the national team comes at the behest of captain Stokes. Stokes became interested in Bashir after viewing a clip on X (formerly Twitter) of him bowling against English batting legend Alastair Cook in a County Cricket Championship match. Impressed by Bashir's bowling action, delivery stride, and spin – and noting his ability to occasionally outplay Cook – Stokes saw potential in him for the India tour, despite his unremarkable stats for Somerset.

The promising off-break bowler made his mark with the England Lions and soon found himself named in the England squad for the five-Test series in India. Despite facing visa complications, Bashir is now looking to put those issues behind him and embark on his debut with renewed vigor.

James Anderson, replacing Mark Wood, adds an interesting dynamic to the English team, especially in Vizag's dry conditions. His focus will likely be on mastering reverse swing and working in harmony with the spinners, providing them with vital support from his end.

Notably, England currently lead the five-match series 1-0, having secured a remarkable comeback win in Hyderabad, stunning Rohit Sharma's brigade.