England vs India: 5 Areas India should work on ahead of the 2nd Test

India had a disappointing start to the five-match Test series in England as the hosts pulled off their second-highest successful run chase in Test cricket history, chasing down 371 runs to go 1-0 up in Leeds. With the second Test scheduled to begin at Edgbaston in Birmingham from 2 July, India must address several key concerns if they want to bounce back in the series.

Advertisment

Here are five key areas India should work on ahead of the second Test:

1. Improvements in fielding

India’s fielding was a major letdown in the first Test. The visitors missed eight catching opportunities, which ultimately cost them nearly 250 runs. While the top-order batters gave India strong starts in both innings, those efforts were let down by sloppy fielding. 

Advertisment

Not just catching, even the ground fielding lacked sharpness and energy. To beat a team like England in their backyard, every chance must be taken, and India will need to be much sharper in the field at Edgbaston.

2. Avoiding batting collapses

Despite having five centurions in the Leeds Test, India became the first-ever team in Test history to lose a match after that feat—a clear reflection of how damaging their collapses were. In the first innings, India were 430/3 but collapsed to 471 all out, losing seven wickets for just 41 runs. In the second innings, they fell from 333/4 to 364 all out, losing six wickets for just 31 runs. 

Advertisment

These late-innings stumbles robbed them of the opportunity to put up a match-winning total. By contrast, England's last five wickets in the first innings added 116 runs. India must ensure that their lower middle-order and tailenders contribute better in the coming matches.

3. More consistency from the bowling unit

India managed to take only 15 wickets in both innings combined. Jasprit Bumrah led the attack with a five-wicket haul in the first innings, but the overall bowling effort lacked bite. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna picked up wickets but leaked runs at a high economy. 

In England’s second innings, Bumrah went wicketless, and others failed to apply pressure or threaten the batters consistently. The bowling unit will need to raise its effectiveness, be more disciplined, and capitalise on key moments if India hopes to level the series.

4. Bumrah’s workload and better support

Jasprit Bumrah bowled 43.4 overs across both innings in Leeds. While he took 5 wickets in the first innings, he looked ineffective in the second. It’s already reported that Bumrah may only play three of the five Tests due to fitness and workload management.

With that in mind, India must ensure better support from the rest of the bowling attack, whether he plays or is rested. Bowlers must step up, control the scoring rate, and share the burden of breakthroughs more consistently.

5. Reassessing team combination

Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill must reassess the playing XI for the second Test. A few changes could be considered based on conditions in Birmingham: Kuldeep Yadav might be brought in to support Ravindra Jadeja, who bowled 47 overs in Leeds and picked just one wicket. 

Shardul Thakur’s underwhelming showing might open the door for Nitish Kumar Reddy, who can contribute both with the bat and ball. Arshdeep Singh could come into consideration either in place of Bumrah (if rested) or to replace Siraj/Krishna.

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at Sky247 India and download the Sky247 app to start betting today!