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Joe Root (Source-Twitter)
In just under 48 hours England and India will play their second Test of the five-match series. England are leading the series 1-0 after they won the first game in Hyderabad last Sunday.
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Joe Root did not have a great game with the bat but played a crucial role with the ball. Ahead of the second Test in Visakhapatnam, the English talisman Joe Root was seen batting left-handed. This is in anticipation of the Indian spinner targeting his leg stump.
Watch the video below:
Joe Root setting up as a left-hander at England training in Vizag pic.twitter.com/GmabemPrY7
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) January 31, 2024
India on the other hand has a lot to worry about. Virat Kohli is still uncertain for the rest of the series. The 35-year-old had pulled out of the first two Tests due to personal reasons. India’s selectors will be meeting soon to pick the team for the rest of the series.
Is Joe Root set to hurt India again?
Over the last three years, no one has outscored English batter Joe Root in Test cricket. The 33-year-old scored just 31 runs during the first test in Hyderabad. With India likely to go in for an all-spin attack, Joe Root was seen practising batting left-handed.
According to sources, team India could rope in Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav in the team. Jasprit Bumrah will be the sole pacer as Ashwin will be the leader of the attack and Axar Patel will play second fiddle.
The track in Visakhapatnam as per early reports is set to be a haven for spin bowlers. Over the years, England has been suspected of playing wrist spin bowling. The introduction of Kuldeep Yadav can turn the fortunes towards India and help them draw level.
Rajat Patidar or Sarfaraz Khan are likely to be given their debut cap during the second Test. The form of Shubman Gill will be another concern for Rohit Sharma as the youngster has failed to perform with the bat. Former India skipper Srikkanth during a chat with the Times of India said “In the first Test, Siraj bowled a total of 11 overs without a wicket. On pitches like these, England have shown four spinners can be played. What is stopping us from playing all four together as well? If India goes in with four spinners, they will have their variations at their disposal”