IND vs ENG 2nd Test: The return of Anderson will add strength to England's bowling, feels Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar and James Anderson. Pics/Ashish Raje, AFP

Former India-cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar stated that England's veteran fast bowler James Anderson would present more challenges to the Indian batsmen in the IND vs ENG 2nd Test in Visakhapatnam than Mark Wood did in the first test.

England announced their playing XI on Thursday for the IND vs ENG 2nd Test. Mark Wood who went wicketless in the first test match has been replaced by James Anderson.

Also Read: IN PHOTOS | IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Injuries and replacements

Manjrekar, voicing his insights, affirmed that Anderson's inclusion would bolster England's bowling prowess, citing the seamer's impressive record on Indian soil- 34 wickets from 13 matches.

"There's no doubt about the fact that he will do a little better than Mark Wood, who went wicketless in the first Test. So, that actually adds to the strength of the English bowling attack," Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.

The decision to bring in Anderson, however, was not the sole alteration to the English lineup.

Spinner Jack Leach sustained a knee injury after the first test match. His injury made way for Shoaib Bashir to feature in the IND vs ENG 2nd Test. Manjrekar highlighted the relief this change would bring to Joe Root, who shouldered an extensive bowling load in the first Test, sending down 48 overs.

"It is also good in a way for England as Joe Root had to shoulder the burden when he bowled 29-30 overs. Whether it had some impact on his batting is something England need to consider," Manjrekar added.

Coming to the Indian side, with the absence of Virat Kohli, the team was already seen struggling in the second innings of the first match. In the IND vs ENG 2nd Test, the hosts will miss the services of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja as they have been ruled out due to injuries, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar and Sourabh Kumar have been named as the replacements ahead of the 2nd Test.

Reflecting on England's 28-run triumph in Hyderabad, where they claimed a 1-0 lead in the 5-match series, the spotlight now shifts to the Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam for the second Test match which commences on Friday.

(With IANS Inputs)