Akash Deep Joins India's Squad for Edgbaston Test
With the series hanging in the balance, India's squad changes and England's home advantage will be crucial factors in determining the outcome of the second Test, as both teams look to gain a decisive edge in the series.
India's playing XI for the second Test against England at Edgbaston has been announced, with Akash Deep replacing Jasprit Bumrah due to workload management, as the team looks to bounce back from a five-wicket loss in the first Test.
The Indian team has made several changes to their lineup, including the addition of Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy, while Shardul Thakur and Sai Sudarshan will sit out. Kuldeep Yadav has been left out to bolster the lower-order batting, as the team aims to improve their performance after a disappointing loss in the series opener.
England captain Ben Stokes is confident about his team's chances, citing the "awesome" atmosphere at Edgbaston and their good record at the venue. However, India will be looking to turn their fortunes around, despite having a dismal Test record at Edgbaston, losing seven and drawing one of their eight matches.
The second Test is expected to be a closely contested match, with both teams looking to gain an advantage in the series. India's decision to manage Jasprit Bumrah's workload may impact their performance, but the inclusion of Akash Deep and other changes to the lineup may bring new opportunities for the team.
The second Test will be live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10am Wednesday, and fans will be eagerly watching to see how the match unfolds and whether India can turn their fortunes around against a confident England team.