Shubman Gill has been struggling to hit some form over the last 12 months in Test cricket. Finally the young Punjabi batter scores an important ton to put England on the driver’s seat. Gill’s fluent 104 ensures England would have to chase down a massive target to win the second Test in Vizag and take an important 2-0 lead in the series.
Team Lineups
India was forced to make a couple of changes from the last Test due to injuries to key players KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja. The alarm bells have been ringing for these two for a long time now, they have suffered 11 separate injuries over the last three years. Jadeja is ruled out with a hamstring injury while Rahul is out with a right quadriceps injury.
30 year old batter from Madhya Pradesh, Rajat Patidar came in to replace KL Rahul. Kuldeep Yadav was chosen for a Test match for the fourth time in the last five years for India. Mohammed Siraj was given a rest after a heavy workload over the last few months. 30 year old pacer from Bihar Mukesh Kumar was selected in his place. Virat Kohli is still unavailable for selection due to personal reasons.
After missing the first Test due to a controversial visa issue, Shoaib Bashir finally made his debut in the second Test. The 20 year old off spinner has played only six first class games before this one. The other change in the Indian team was the inclusion of James Anderson in place of misfiring Mark Wood. Anderson is just 10 wickets away from reaching the milestone of 700 wickets; he will be the first pace bowler to achieve this feat. India is playing with a relatively inexperienced squad after a long time. The time looks to be over for two middle stalwarts Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara. The aggregate of Test career runs by all the Indian batsmen is less than that of Joe Root alone.
England
1. Zak Crawley 2. Ben Duckett 3. Ollie Pope 4. Joe Root 5. Jonny Bairstow 6. Ben Stokes (Cap.) 7. Ben Foakes (WK) 8. Rehan Ahmed 9. Tom Hartley 10. Shoaib Bashie 11. James Anderson
India
1. Rohit Sharma (Cap.) 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal 3. Shubman Gill 4. Shreyas Iyer 5. Rajat Patidar 6. Axar Patel 7. Srikar Bharat (WK) 8. Ravichandran Ashwin 9. Mukesh Kumar 10. Jasprit Bumrah 11. Kuldeep Yadav
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first. The playing surface of YS Rajasekhara Reddy Stadium looked brown and sturdy in the beginning, but it can deteriorate swiftly. The pace will eventually become slower with not a lot of bounce on the surface.
There would be enough carry and bounce during the initial phases of the Test match. The ideal scenario would be bat first and post a score over 450 runs to put the opponents under pressure. India recorded the previous two Test matches by choosing to bat first. The average first innings in Tests is 476. With the absence of several key figures in the batting lineup, India would rely on the younger members of the squad to deliver in this crucial second Test match.
Fixture
India had won both of their Tests at Visakhapatnam prior to this game. The most recent Test match at this ground saw India beat South Africa by 203 runs. India and England have met on 132 occasions prior to this Test match. The visitors have the upper hand with 51 wins. The other 50 Test matches ended in a draw. India has emerged victorious on 31 occasions. In Tests in India, the hosts have won 22 games. Two of England’s 15 Test wins came in 2012, the last time a visiting side had toppled the Indians in their own backyard in a series. The first Test match in India’s history was played against England at Lord’s in June. 1932.
| Venue | The second day of the second Test match between India and England was played at YS Rajasekhara Reddy Stadium in Visakhapatnam. |
| Date | The game started on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. local time. |
Captaincy & Tactics
The day commenced with India resuming their innings at 227/6, looking to build a substantial lead against the English side. However, the early dismissals of KS Bharat and Kuldeep Yadav added tension to the Indian camp. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin then put on a commendable partnership, frustrating the English bowlers with their resilience. Despite their efforts, the duo fell to the disciplined bowling of Hartley and Ahmed, as India was eventually bundled out for 255. This set England a challenging target of 399 runs to secure victory and a 2-0 series lead.
As England came out to bat, they started steadily with the openers putting on 50 runs without taking undue risks. However, the introduction of Ashwin proved pivotal as Duckett’s loose shot led to a brilliant catch by Kona Bharat, providing India with a breakthrough. By the end of the day’s play, England stood at 67/1, requiring 332 runs with nine wickets in hand on Day 4 to stage a remarkable comeback.
In a riveting final session, England managed to score 95 runs while losing five crucial wickets in 28.3 overs, setting the stage for an intense climax on the next day. With the match finely poised, both teams will be eager to make the most of the opportunities and seize the momentum to tilt the balance in their favor.
Recapping the earlier sessions, the day kicked off with India facing early setbacks as James Anderson struck early to dismiss Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Despite the setbacks, Shubman Gill’s stroke of luck with LBW decisions saw him capitalize on the chances to notch his first half-century of the series and form a vital partnership with Shreyas Iyer. However, quick wickets fell post- lunch, leaving India at 130/4.
In the subsequent session, India continued to assert their dominance as Gill reached a well-deserved century before falling prey to a cheeky shot. Axar Patel chipped in effectively, but his departure via an LBW call added to England’s delight. India’s commanding lead of 370 runs at the end of the session set the stage for a gripping finale that promises thrills and spills till the last ball is bowled.
With the momentum swinging back and forth, Day 4 is set to be an enthralling chapter in the test match drama, with fortunes hanging in the balance for both teams. As the sun rises on the final day, cricket enthusiasts can expect a nail-biting conclusion to this captivating battle between India and England.
Batting Analysis
In a riveting display of cricketing prowess, the second Test match between India and England in Visakhapatnam witnessed a thrilling battle as England ended day three at 67 for one, eyeing a target of 399 runs set by the hosts. The day’s play was filled with remarkable performances, strategic twists, and missed opportunities that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
India’s questionable batting approach in the final session on day three left the door slightly ajar for England’s determined batsmen to chase down the challenging yet achievable target. Shubman Gill’s brilliant century, scoring 104 off 147 balls, initially put India in a commanding position. However, England’s bowlers, led by the experienced James Anderson, fought back valiantly to restrict India to 255 all out in their second innings.
The match took an intense turn as England’s openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, came out with aggression, setting the tone for their chase. Despite Duckett falling to R Ashwin early on, Crawley, along with night watchman Rehan Ahmed, held firm at stumps, with England needing 332 runs for a historic victory.
As the game hangs in the balance, England’s confidence is high, with the belief that they can successfully gun down the target and secure a 2-0 series lead. The pitch conditions, though offering some challenges with the odd ball keeping low, seem favorable for batting, setting the stage for an enthralling final day of play.
Throughout the match, individual performances stood out, with Shubman Gill’s century being the highlight for India. His partnership with Axar Patel provided a crucial contribution, but England’s bowlers, including spin trio Shoaib Bashir, Rehan Ahmed, and Tom Hartley, showcased their skill and resilience to keep India in check.
In contrast, India’s batting lineup faced struggles, with their long tail failing to wag and key batters failing to capitalize on good starts. The absence of Joe Root, due to injury, added to India’s challenges as they looked to defend their target against a determined England side.
As the teams head into the final day of play, the outcome of the match remains uncertain, with both sides eager to seize control and emerge victorious. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion as England’s batsmen aim to script a memorable chase while India’s bowlers look to regroup and push for a breakthrough to turn the tide in their favor.
The second Test match between India and England has been a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with gripping moments and outstanding displays of skill. With everything to play for in the final day, cricket enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the conclusion of this captivating contest.
Bowling Analysis
The Indian innings resumed at 227/6, with the team looking to build on their lead against England. However, quick wickets of KS Bharat and Kuldeep Yadav fell early in the final session, putting pressure on the lower order. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin then steadied the ship, frustrating the English team with a resilient partnership before falling to the bowlers. Hartley dismissed Bumrah, while Rehan Ahmed took a brilliant catch to remove Ashwin, as India was eventually bowled out for 255, setting England a challenging target of 399 for victory and a series lead.
England’s innings started positively, with the openers adding 50 runs without much risk. However, the introduction of Ashwin led to a breakthrough as Duckett played a loose shot and was superbly caught by Kona Bharat, providing India with their first breakthrough. Rehan Ahmed’s composed innings alongside Crawley ensured England closed the day at 67/1, with 332 runs needed on the final day to secure a remarkable win.
In a gripping day of cricket, the last session saw England scoring 95 runs while losing five crucial wickets in 28.3 overs, setting up an intriguing finale for Day 4. With nine wickets in hand, England will need a solid batting performance to chase down the target and clinch the victory.
Recapping the earlier sessions of the day, in the first session, India faced early setbacks as James Anderson claimed the wickets of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Shubman Gill, fortunate to survive multiple LBW calls, capitalized on his luck to notch his first half-century of the series and form a crucial partnership with Shreyas Iyer. However, quick wickets fell as Iyer departed, followed by Patidar, leaving India at 130/4 at lunch after adding 102 runs in the session.
Moving to the second session, India built on their solid start as Gill reached his third Test century before getting dismissed while attempting a reverse sweep. Axar Patel contributed effectively but was eventually trapped LBW, with both wickets overturned through reviews. India dominated the session, adding 97 runs in 29 overs, extending their lead to 370 runs, setting up a commanding position heading into Day 4.
The match poised delicately, promises an enthralling conclusion as England gears up to chase down a challenging target while India seeks crucial breakthroughs to secure victory and level the series. The stage is set for a thrilling finale, where every run and wicket will hold immense significance in determining the outcome of this gripping Test match.
Jasprit Bumrah is famous for his bowling dexterity during the final overs of the innings. But the pacer from Gujarat is becoming more and more lethal with the new ball in hand. He produces swings especially back to the right-handers. He picked up a four-wicket haul to continue his impressive journey back to international cricket. Bumrah has the 16th-best strike rate (30.7) among all the bowlers who took 100 wickets in international cricket.
Kuldeep Yadav picked up the most prized wicket of Ben Stokes, but the most interesting idea about the chinaman bowler is that he is bowling at a faster pace than before. He is clocking at 85-90 km/h, the good-length deliveries are harder to put away at this pace.
Fielding Analysis
It was a magnificent fielding performance by the English who kept themselves in the game with magnificent catches taken in the outfield. Joe Root looked to be determined to snatch a series win in England after so long. It was a humid day in Vizag the English gave their wall in the outfield to restrict the Indian progress. Ben Stokes produced a moment of magic in the field to dismiss Ravichandran Ashwin.
Key Performances
Shubman Gill has been under a lot of criticism for his lack of runs in white ball cricket. The Punjab top order batsman answered his critics by producing a scintillating knock that put the hosts in the driving seat. Tom Hartley was the pick of the English bowlers with a four wicket haul. Young spinner Rehan Ahmed picked up three wickets. Axar Patel contributed 45 to help Shubman Gill with his batting exploits.
Turning Point
The turning point of the day came on the second ball of the 50th over. After losing Rehan Ahmed, England was trying to bring back some momentum into their innings with the eighth wicket partnership. Ben Stokes was batting at the score of 47 from 53 deliveries. The English captain was in his typical attacking sense, hitting five boundaries and a massive six to launch a counterattack just like he did in the first innings of the first Test. His partner Tom Hartley was batting at a score of 15. England was getting close to the score of 250. The lead taken by the Indian needed to be reduced as much as possible if the visitors wanted to stay in this Test. From the other hand,
Jasprit Bumrah was delivering a fiery spell with swing and pace. The 30 year old right arm pacer was proving impossible to deal at that point in time. Stokes had played defensive shots against the pace of Bumrah up to that point. The second ball of the 50th over was too much even for a great player like Stokes. The ball pitched at good length, jagged back sharply, and bowled Stokes. The English skipper threw away his bat in frustration while the Indians celebrated. It was a masterstroke by a man who was reaching the pinnacle of first bowling on a rather tame pitch. England lost their way after that and India were able to gain a huge lead after the English 1st innings.
Day Result
England still needed 332 runs to win the second Test match. The visitors ended the third day with the score at 67 for 1.
Brief Scorecard
| India First Innings: 336/6 (93 overs) | England First Innings:253/10 (55.5 overs) | India Second Innings:255/10 (78.3 overs) | England Second Innings: 67/1 (14 overs) |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal 179 (257) | Zak Crawley 76 (78) | Shubman Gill 104 (147) | Zak Crawley 29 (56) |
| Shubman Gill 34 (46) | Ben Stokes 47 (54) | Axar Patel 45 (84) | Ben Duckett 28 (27) |
| Rehan Ahmed 2/61 (16 overs) | Jasprit Bumrah 6/45 (15.5 overs) | Tom Hartley 4/77 (27 overs) | Ravichandran Ashwin 1/23 (6 overs) |
| Shoaib Bashir 2/100 (28 overs) | Kuldeep Yadav 3/71 (17 overs) | Rehan Ahmed 3/88 (24.3 overs) | Jasprit Bumrah 0/11 (4 overs) |
Day Highlights
Day Wrap-Up
The match is getting built up towards a wonderful finale with England facing the mammoth task of chasing a huge target. Shubman Gill scored a wonderful century to post a challenging score in the second innings. Gill was fluent and magnificent during his stay at the crease and ended up scoring one of the most memorable knocks of his career. England would have to bat incredibly well to reach the target and take a 2-0 lead in the series.
