TimesofIndia.com in Birmingham: With India gearing up for a vital second Take a look at at Edgbaston, England skipper Ben Stokes hailed Rishabh Pant as one of many largest threats within the opposition camp and a private favorite to look at. “Regardless that he’s in my opposition, I really like watching him play,” Stokes advised reporters on Tuesday. “Whenever you set a expertise like him free, you noticed what occurs. Very harmful participant. I actually take pleasure in watching him.”

Pant’s explosive counterattacking model has usually disrupted bowling plans throughout codecs, and with England’s pace-heavy assault concentrating on India’s center and decrease order, the left-hander, who scored centuries in each innings at Headingley, may as soon as once more be India’s trump card — particularly on a pitch anticipated to flatten out as the sport progresses.Go Past The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Stokes additionally took a refined step again from speculating on India’s plans round Jasprit Bumrah, who could also be rested within the subsequent match. “That’s India’s drawback to take care of,” he remarked when requested about the opportunity of Bumrah taking part in within the second Take a look at.England, coming off a memorable win, have introduced an unchanged XI for the second Rothesay Take a look at. Their lineup incorporates a stable high 5 — Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Harry Brook — with Jamie Smith persevering with behind the stumps. The seam assault of Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Josh Tongue, backed by spinner Shoaib Bashir, gives each tempo and management.Whereas Jofra Archer’s Take a look at return stays on maintain attributable to a household emergency, Stokes underlined the significance of his presence across the squad. “It’s been a very long time since Jof’s been in a Take a look at surroundings. It’s nice for the group and hopefully he performs an element within the collection,” he mentioned.Regardless of holding a 1-0 lead, Stokes made it clear England aren’t getting carried away. “It was an excellent week final week, however we’re getting again to zero for this sport. We’re assured in our means to chase something within the fourth innings.”India, in the meantime, will look to regroup after the collapse in Leeds. With choice adjustments anticipated — probably two spinners and a shake-up within the decrease center order — the second Take a look at could possibly be a defining chapter in what’s shaping as much as be a high-quality collection.England Confirmed XI vs India: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir.