India vs England 2018: India's ideal XI for the second Test against England

The first test match between India and England played at Edgbaston, Birmingham turned out to be quite a spectacle with the host managing to edge out the visitors by a margin of 31 runs. The match was a close affair right from the first day and it stayed that way pretty much throughout its conclusion.

The match had some outstanding performances from both the teams with a special mention to Virat Kohli for the visitors scoring 200 runs in the match and Sam Curran's all-round performance for the hosts, picking a total of 5 wickets in the match and scoring a total of 87 runs which included a brilliant 63 run knock in the second innings which ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides and propelled the hosts to a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

The visitors can draw heart from their performance in patches but will look to rectify their mistakes before the sides meet again for the second test match to be played in Lords. Therefore, selecting the most ideal XI for the second match will be very critical for team India"s management.

So, Let us have a look at the players, who should make it to the playing XI against England in the second test match against England at Lords.

#1. Openers: Murali Vijay and KL Rahul

Murali Vijay

Murali Vijay had a test match to forget. He managed to score just 20 and 6 runs in the first and second innings respectively. However, he has been a vital member of the Indian team in the red ball cricket on previous occasions. The team management should show faith in him and most likely, he will deliver.

Kl Rahul is a player who is yet to establish himself in the red ball format. However, a major reason behind it is, that he has not been assigned to a specific position. Too much shuffling with respect to his position has made it difficult for him to adjust and adapt. He certainly has the technique to deal with the swinging ball and could be a decent option as an opener in place of Shikhar Dhawan to partner Murali Vijay in the second test match.

#2. Middle Order: Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane

Chesteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli

Cheteshwar Pujara, who was dropped from the first Test, should make a come back to the starting XI for the second Test. Chesteshwar Pujara has been an important weapon in India's armoury. His presence at no. 3, provides calmness to the dressing room and opting to play county cricket for Yorkshire and getting acclimatized to the conditions earlier can turn out to be advantageous for him and India in the second test match.

The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli is currently one of the best batsmen across all formats of the game. He carried his good form from South Africa, where he was the only batsman from either of the teams to score a hundred in the three-match test series. In the first test match against England, in batting, he was the lone warrior for the Indian team. He scored a total of 200 runs in the match which included brilliant innings of 149 runs. He will be without any doubt, be extremely critical to India"s fortunes in the second test match.

Ajinkya looked out of sorts in the first test match scoring just 17 runs in total. However, Rahane has been one of the most consistent Indian players in test matches outside India. He would be having the fond memories of England as he scored a brilliant century at Lord's in his previous visit. His ability to attack and defend by playing normal cricketing shots makes him stand out from the rest of his counterparts especially in foreign conditions. His positive experience from the previous visit could come in handy for India.

#3. Wicket-keeper and All-Rounders: Dinesh Karthik, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja

Dinesh Karthik

It is always difficult to come in and replace someone of the calibre of Wriddhiman Saha but there were huge expectations from Dinesh Karthik. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to perform in the first test match. He scored just 20 runs in the match and spilled a couple of catches as well. Hopefully, he will pick his game up for the second test match.

Ravichandran Ashwin was very successful in the first Test picking up a total of 7 wickets in the match. He was simply unplayable at times and picked up vital wickets at important times and kept up the pressure on the English Batsmen. The Indian management would be hoping for much of the same from him in the second test match.

Ravindra Jadeja could get the nod in place of Hardik Pandya for the upcoming match. Ravindra Jadejass all-around ability to change the match in all three spheres be it batting, bowling or fielding could prove to be advantageous for India.

#4. Fast Bowlers: Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah

Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma picked up five wickets in the second innings proving that he can bowl good, nagging lines consistently. His experience of having previously bowled in England was on full display as he provided much-needed experience and consistency to the Indian attack. He will be looking to continue the same performance in the second Test.

Mohammad Shami looked good in patches but was not able to bowl consistently in the corridor of uncertainty for the batsman. Despite that, he provided India with few important breakthroughs. He will be however looking to up his game in the second test match.

Jasprit Bumrah is expected to be fit for India's second Test against England at Lord's and if he is fit, in all likeliness he will be replacing Umesh Yadav who didn't have the best of the test match. Jasprit Bumrah's natural pace, unique arm action, accuracy etc. makes him a match winner. Bumrah will play a key role in deceiving top order batsmen with his skiddy pace and will look to get the better of the tailenders with his impeccable yorkers.