After a strong beginning to the first Test, England lead the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy series 1–0. With legendary cricketers now retired and new captains at the helm, the ground is set for a new battle of cricketing tactics and skills.
India vs England 2nd Test When & Where?
Match: India vs England, 2nd Test
Dates: Wednesday, July 2 – Sunday, July 6, 2025
Venue: Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham
Timing & Broadcast Details
Start Time (IST): 3:30 PM IST daily
In India: Watch live on Sony Sports Network and stream on Jio Hotstar.
What’s Changed: New Captains & Retirements
Retired from Test Cricket:
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, R. Ashwin—all have stepped away from the Test Format.
New Leadership:
Shubman Gill (25) named Test captain, taking over after Rohit’s and Kohli’s exits.
Rishabh Pant serves as vice‑captain and wicketkeeper
New Players in Squad:
Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair have been included into the team, providing new energy to the middle order.
England:
Retired:
Legendary fast bowler James Anderson retired in July 2024 and is now a bowling coach .
Captain:
Ben Stokes remains Test captain, leading England’s quest against India .
Series Context
India vs England 2nd Test: England cashed in on momentum at Headingley, securing a 5‑wicket victory with fine knocks from Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, confirming their advantage in the series.
India, now a young team led by Gill and Pant, will seek redemption as they attempt to level the series at Edgbaston, a ground famous for high-scoring matches.
Key Players to Watch
| India | England |
|---|---|
| Captain: Shubman Gill – taking Virat’s number 4 position | Captain: Ben Stokes – poised to lead England’s odds |
| Rishabh Pant | Ben Duckett |
| Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair – fresh faces with new vigor | Zak Crawley, Joe Root |
What’s at Stake
A Birmingham win will leave England with an insurmountable 2–0 series advantage. For India, they want to stage a comeback and leave hopes alive for achieving a historic series victory or draw—a feat not seen since 2007 in England.
Bumrah’s Absence in 2nd Test a Major Setback for India
One of the biggest challenges for Team India in the 2nd Test will be the absence of their premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah. As per the rotational workload management strategy, Bumrah is scheduled to play only the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tests of the series. This means he will miss the crucial 2nd Test at Edgbaston, a decision that could prove costly for India. Without Bumrah’s precision and pace, India’s bowling attack looks slightly underpowered—especially on English pitches that demand consistency and skill. His absence was clearly felt in the latter stages of the 1st Test, where India struggled to break England’s partnerships.
Shubman Gill: “We’re Young, Learning Fast, and Will Bounce Back Soon”
After the 5-wicket loss in the opening Test, Shubman Gill, India’s new Test captain, addressed the press with confidence and composure. “Hum young hai, abhi sikh rahe hain. Jaldi hi comeback karenge,” Gill said, reflecting both realism and optimism. While the team may be in a transitional phase with many fresh faces like Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair, Gill emphasized that the squad is learning from each outing. With his leadership under the spotlight, the second Test becomes a key moment not just for the series but for the long-term direction of Indian Test cricket.
Gautam Gambhir: “Focus on Bowling Attack and Fielding Unit is Crucial”
Former Indian opener and current mentor Gautam Gambhir also shared his thoughts after India’s defeat, pointing out that India’s bowling and fielding units need urgent improvement. “Bowling lineup par dhyan dena hoga, fielding bhi tight honi chahiye,” Gambhir said during a post-match discussion. His observations hold weight—India dropped crucial chances and lacked discipline in line and length, allowing England to chase a mammoth total comfortably. As the team heads into the 2nd Test, these areas will be critical if they want to turn the series around.
Final Word
The 2nd Test at Edgbaston (July 2–6) provides the ideal battlefield for cruisers of change—new skippers, new talent, and rejuvenated England. Can India’s new-look team step up to the plate under Gill’s captaincy is the big question. Cricket lovers, make room in your calendars!
