India Skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat as India aims to take a lead in the ongoing IND vs ENG Test series. Ahead of the match, Rohit asserted the importance of the remaining Tests and how it will not be an easy task against a formidable Ben Stokes and co. He also wanted to look at the larger picture, i.e. winning the series, in mind.
“The next three games will be as exciting as the first two. You can’t keep the bigger picture in mind. We’ll have to keep focus on what we can do here and come out on top.”
The India skipper also revealed the series changes made in the playing XI with Sarfaraz Khan finally getting his debut while Mohammad Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja also returned to the lineup.
“We’ve made four changes. Some injuries, and some guys coming back. Two debutants: Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan. Siraj and Jadeja are back. Axar and Mukesh miss out.” Rohit added.
India XI:
Rohit, Jaiswal, Gill, Patidar, Sarfaraz, Jadeja, Jurel, Ashwin, Kuldeep, Bumrah, Siraj