ENG vs IND: VVS Laxman suggests one change for India in 2nd Test

The honors were shared by both England and India in the first Test match at Trent Bridge owing to rain playing a spoilsport on the fifth day. Indian skipper Virat Kohli made the bold decision at the toss by opting to go with four pacers and only one spinner in his playing XI. It worked well in the first Test as the pacers, led by Jasprit Bumrah who took nine wickets in the match, had a good outing.

After the match, Kohli said that he is going to follow the same template and stick with the same combination. Ravindra Jadeja was the sole spinner, and he too made a telling contribution with the bat in hand by scoring a composed 56.

While the teams usually don’t change the formula that worked well for them during the last Test match, former India batter VVS Laxman wants India to go with Ravi Ashwin instead of Shardul Thakur.

India used Thakur as the fourth seam-bowler, and he performed well by picking four wickets across both innings. But he failed to contribute with bat in hand as he was dismissed for a duck. Laxman feels Ashwin can be used in place of Thakur as he is capable in the batting department too.

VVS Laxman feels Ravi Ashwin will add depth to the Indian bowling attack

“I would definitely draft in R Ashwin into the playing XI. It will add depth to the Indian bowling and also versatility and different options to the captain,” Laxman told ESPNcricinfo.

“Irrespective of what the weather forecast or the conditions, R Ashwin is a more than capable bowler. He is skillful enough to perform, not only perform but to put in a match-winning performance and put pressure on the English batters,” he added.

Meanwhile, England have brought Moeen Ali in the mix, and in all likelihood, he will come in place of Dan Lawrence. The home team’s batting was a big failure in the first Test match at Trent Bridge and, baring skipper Joe Root, all the batters struggled to get going. The second Test match is starting tomorrow at Lord’s Cricket Stadium.