IND vs ENG 2024: India need to come out of their shell in Vizag Test match: Pragyan Ojha

Former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha reckons India needs to come out of their shell in the second Test match at Vizag. India had to chase 231 runs in the second innings of the opening Test but they were skittled out for 202 to lose by 28 runs.

India had a huge lead of 190 runs in the first innings but could not capitalize on the same. Furthermore, the hosts batters could not show intent in the second innings and none of the Indian batsmen could go past the 40-run mark.

Moreover, Indian spinners could not crack the code to dismiss Ollie Pope, who went on to score a match-winning knock of 196 runs.

“India have to come out of their shell while batting in the second Test match. You have to score runs. Indian management is backing you and you need to play without fear, they cannot continue with timid approach,” Ojha said on Cricbuzz.

Meanwhile, Rajat Patidar is making his debut in the second Test match as Rohit Sharma decided to bat first after winning the toss. Mohammed Siraj has been rested and Mukesh Kumar replaces the Hyderabad pacer. Furthermore, Kuldeep Yadav takes the injured Ravindra Jadeja’s place in India’s final XI.

On the other hand, Shoaib Bashir is making his Test debut for England. Bashir got the big wicket of Indian captain Rohit Sharma and has got off to a dream start in his Test career. Moreover, James Anderson has replaced Mark Wood in the playing XI.

England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes(c), Ben Foakes(w), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson

India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Shreyas Iyer, Srikar Bharat(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mukesh Kumar