England currently lead the five‑match Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy 1–0 following a stunning last‑day chase at Headingley, where they successfully overhauled 371 to win by five wickets. India’s top order fired brilliantly, five centurions in total, but it was England’s resolute and calculated chase under Bazball that swung the momentum. With the second Test set to begin at Edgbaston on July 2, both sides remain buoyed by contrasting takeaways from Leeds.
Match Preview
Edgbaston offers a new set of challenges. England, buoyed by composure and clarity in Headingley’s chase, look to continue their momentum. Jamie Smith, the wicketkeeper, praised England’s “measured and controlled” approach, remarking that “we never gave them a sniff.”
India, meanwhile, are determined to bounce back. Despite the loss, their batting received praise—from centuries by Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, as well as twin hundreds from Rishabh Pant—indicating their batting firepower. The focus will be on stronger bowling plans, especially in Bumrah’s absence, and team selection tweaks urged by pundits like Stuart Broad and Michael Clarke.
Weather and Pitch Report
Pitch: Edgbaston’s surface traditionally offers pace and bounce early on, favouring seamers, especially under overcast skies for the first two days. As the match progresses, conditions typically mellow and flatten, aiding the batters. By Day 5, cracks and rough patches may emerge to help spinners.
Weather: The forecast ahead of the Test (starting July 2) suggests mixed cloud cover in Birmingham. Early humid, grey skies could extend the life of the seam movement, possibly delaying the pitch’s usual flattening. Occasional showers might disrupt play — making toss dynamics and Day 1 conditions crucial.
Probable Playing XI
India (barring last‑minute changes)
- KL Rahul
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Karun Nair
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Arshdeep Singh
- Prasidh Krishna
- Mohammed Siraj
Jasprit Bumrah remains unconfirmed for this Test, bowling in the nets, but the final decision is pending. There’s a heavy call for Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion, a “no‑brainer” according to Michael Clarke, and echoed by Stuart Broad.
England
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Joe Root
- Ollie Pope
- Harry Brook
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Shoaib Bashir
- Chris Woakes
- Jofra Archer
- Brydon Carse
Key Players
India
Rishabh Pant – The wicketkeeper‑batsman was the standout performer in Test #1, becoming one of the few to score centuries in both innings. Sanjay Manjrekar labeled him the only batter with the mental endurance to pull that off—indicative of an “exceptional player.” Pant’s aggressive strokeplay under pressure proved essential, and if he repeats that form at Edgbaston, India will lean heavily on him again.
Yashasvi Jaiswal – The elegant left‑hander scored a century in Leeds and helped set up India’s high total in the first innings. Though his drops during the fielding rounds drew criticism—“four drops, unwanted history”—his batting and presence earned praise. His fielding form will be a talking point, but his batting remains India’s chief asset at the top.
England
Ben Duckett – Duckett’s brilliant 149 in the fourth innings chase underlined his transformation. Partnering with Crawley, his composed approach and shot selection—in particular, courageous reverse-sweeps—exemplify England’s refined Bazball. Michael Vaughan and others have praised his disciplined attacking style.
Joe Root – Consistent and measured, Root scored key runs during the chase and is hovering near breaking another record (2,500+ runs vs. India). His adaptability and ability to anchor in tricky conditions make him vital for England.
Match Prediction: Who Will Win?
Predicting the outcome of this match hinges on the toss, weather conditions, team changes, and strategy. England’s confidence is palpable—their calm implementation of Bazball and dynamic team unity have paid off. With Archer’s return and bowlers like Bashir and Woakes bringing variety, they look equipped to challenge any batting lineup.
India, however, remain a formidable force. With top‑order still in form—Pant, Gill, Rahul, Jaiswal—they have the potential to dictate proceedings. If the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav materializes, India can offset seam advantage and tackle Edgbaston’s spin late on.
Prediction
If England win the toss under overcast skies and bowl first, they’ll likely seize early control. Conversely, if India bat first in cloudy conditions but withstand early pressure, their batting could post a big total, forcing England onto the back foot. A balanced call: England hold a slight edge due to momentum, but India’s firepower means an upset at Edgbaston isn’t out of the question. Expect a thrilling match where the toss and early spells will likely decide the outcome.
