India vs England Prediction: Jadeja will be missed by India

India and England are going head to head in the 2nd Match of Test Series at Dr. Y.S.Rajashekar Reddy Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, India on 02 Feb 2024. Jadeja will be missed by the Indian team. Who will win this game of cricket?

The match between India will be missing key players like Virat Kohli, Mohammad Shami, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja. The absence of Ravindra Jadeja will particularly be a significant loss as he contributes with both his batting and bowling skills. Consequently, the team lineup will have to be completely reshuffled for the upcoming match.

One potential replacement for Ravindra Jadeja could be Kuldeep Yadav, with Ashwin and Axar moving up the batting order. However, it will be more challenging to find a replacement for KL Rahul. India has the option to choose Sarfaraz Khan, who has been performing exceptionally well in domestic cricket, or Rajat Patidar, who is already part of the squad. Considering Khan's experience in the middle order, it is likely that he will be selected.

It is evident that India's batting lineup lacks experience and is under immense pressure. However, their potential should not be underestimated. Players like Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Rohit Sharma are facing the pressure to perform and prove their capabilities. We anticipate that they will demonstrate their resilience and determination in the upcoming match.

Despite the absence of Ravindra Jadeja, India still possesses a world-class bowling attack. Kuldeep Yadav's bowling skills would secure him a spot in any other team globally. Additionally, Jasprit Bumrah and R Ashwin showcased exceptional performances. With a supportive pitch, Axar Patel will also be a valuable addition to the team's bowling lineup.

Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, R. Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

England surprised everyone with their aggressive approach towards India and their relentless attack. They proved that the 'Bazball' method can be effective even in Indian conditions. In the first match, players like Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, and Ollie Pope stood out as exceptional batters, while others such as Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes, and Joe Root also performed well. This is a concerning sign for India as England's batting is flourishing and their attacking style is posing challenges for the bowlers. Any of these players have the potential to make significant contributions or form crucial partnerships on a deteriorating pitch, which can ultimately make a difference in the outcome of the game. 

Although England's batting was expected to perform strongly, their bowlers surprised us with their success. Despite having favorable conditions on Day 4, credit should be given to Tom Hartley, who bounced back after a difficult first inning where he struggled. Jack Leach's injury might lead to Shoaib Bashir's debut, and it will be interesting to see if Mark Wood retains his place in the team after a relatively ineffective performance in the previous match. While England's batting looks threatening, their bowling is not their strongest asset. They might face challenges if they lose the toss and have to play catch-up.

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson

The team that wins the coin toss will have a strong desire to bat first, as this is viewed as a significant advantage. The weather forecast for Vishakhapatnam is favorable, with minimal disruptions anticipated and pleasant temperatures expected. Although there may be some rain on Day 3 and 4, it is not expected to significantly disrupt the game. The pitch is predicted to offer sharp turn right from the beginning, and India will aim to negate the influence of the coin toss by relying on their spinners from the very first ball. This strategy has been employed by India in the past when they have been behind in a series. The series is evenly poised, with both teams facing their own challenges. While England currently holds the momentum, this can change swiftly. We are favoring the home team due to the challenging conditions and India's strong bowling capabilities. Therefore, we recommend betting on India to win.