Jimmy Anderson closer to England return as Woakes nurses knee problem

The record books would show India versus England first Test at Rajkot ended in a draw.

Both India and England as oppositions have got a feel of themselves in this series and will make the necessary adjustments coming into the second match.

He then said that the result of the match could have been different if India could have put pressure on England by picking wickets at the top.

The fielding lapses became infectious for India as their wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha dropped Ben Stokes two times in three overs on the second day. “It’s within the rules and the regulations”, Virat Kohli told media in a press conference on the eve of the second Test. “He knows how his game works – something that players years in advance of him would like to have -and without wanting to put too much pressure on him, the signs are good”. “I think to find that balance was a revelation for my own mindset”, said Kohli about that innings. We need to take our half chances and we need to be more focused in the field and that would make hell of a difference in the game.

However, a recall for the 34-year-old would not be without risk given he has not played a match since August, so Steven Finn or Jake Ball could yet be pressed into action if Woakes is rested.

“In a way the team situation freed me up a bit when we were pushing on and it came back a bit better, but it is nice to score runs when maybe you’re not quite at your best”. That was the whole idea behind it. “But he’s recovered now, and as a protocol we wanted him to go an play a First Class match”. Couldn’t get a better chance to practice other aspects of your game (towards the end). “That’s something that we are really looking forward to correct in this game”, he added. Yet Cook believes England’s performance in the First Test has sent out a warning to India that they are in for a tough series.

The pitch for the Second Test is expected to take significantly more turn than the one in Rajkot. It also helped that the Ranji Trophy match Rahul was playing in was at Vizianagaram, just 66 kilometres away from Vizag.

‘I expect this wicket to do the same. Our batters played well against their spinners, and our spinners and seamers all bowled well.

Amit Mishra looked the least effective of India’s spin attack in Rajkot so they may opt to give a debut to either off-spinner Jayant Yadav or, possibly, Karun Nair if they decide they need to lengthen their batting line-up.