India and England are facing off against one another in the 2nd Test of the five-match series at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. India came into the match after losing to the host team in the first Test played in Leeds. Therefore, they would be seeking to win this match in an attempt to level up the series. While England would seek a detailed 2-0 advantage in the series, on the other side, England would be looking for an all-around 2-0 lead in the series. When the players were standing for the national anthem, the point to realize was that they both had black armbands.
Also Read: Why India’s Speedgun Jasprit Bumrah Out Of Playing XI After A Shameful Defeat At Headingley?
Why India, England Players Are Wearing Black Armbands
Indian and English players are all in black armbands for the second Test in tribute to former England batsman Wayne Larkins, who died on May 28 (Thursday). He was 71 years old when he died. Larkins represented England in 13 Tests and 25 ODIs between 1979 and 1991. He made 498 runs in Tests and 591 runs in ODIs. In all, he made a single international century
India and England players wore black armbands today to honour former opener Wayne Larkins, who passed away on June 28.
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3 Changes For India
India made 3 changes and brought an additional spinner to the side. Washington Sundar has been given a chance in the play to keep Ravindra Jadeja company. Shardul Thakur has been replaced by Nitish Kumar Reddy, the centurion from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The most surprising change for the visitors was their ace bowler getting benched. Jasprit Bumrah has been replaced by Akash Deep.
Playing XIs
India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir
