ENG Vs IND 2025, 2nd Test: Match Prediction, Dream11 Team, Fantasy Tips And Pitch Report

When England and India take the field at Edgbaston on July 2, the stakes will be sky-high. The five-match Test series that began with a thrilling opener is already living up to its billing. England’s fearless fourth-innings chase in the first Test has given them a 1-0 advantage, but India, despite the loss, showed enough promise to suggest this series will be anything but one-sided.

As the action shifts to Edgbaston, Birmingham, both sides will carry contrasting emotional baggage: England riding a wave of confidence, while India seek redemption for a match they dominated but failed to close out.

Recap: A Riveting First Test

The opening Test offered everything Test cricket purists crave—centuries galore, momentum swings, individual brilliance, and a last-day result. Ben Duckett’s blistering ton and Joe Root’s composure guided England to a record chase, reaffirming their Bazball philosophy under Ben Stokes.

India, meanwhile, saw five individual centuries—a rare feat in a single Test. Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill all looked imperious. However, their bowling lacked penetration outside of Jasprit Bumrah, who bowled with heart and hostility but lacked adequate support. Fielding errors, including key dropped chances, compounded India’s woes and allowed England back into the contest.

ENG vs IND 2nd Test: Key Match Details

Dates: July 2–6, 2025
Time: 3:30 PM IST | 10:00 AM GMT | 11:00 AM Local
Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
Series Standing: England lead 1-0

Venue Focus: Edgbaston, Birmingham

Edgbaston has historically been a fortress for England and a graveyard for Indian Test dreams. India have never won a Test here in eight previous attempts, losing seven and drawing one. Their most recent encounter here was in 2022, when Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow stitched a 269-run partnership to chase down 378, handing India another crushing loss.

Pitch and Conditions

Day 1–2: Good bounce and carry; assistance for fast bowlers
Day 3–4: Batting-friendly surface with predictable bounce
Day 5: Cracks emerge; spinners may find purchase
Weather: Overcast skies are typical, aiding swing early in the match

Winning the toss here often becomes a double-edged sword. Teams prefer bowling first under clouds, but setting a solid first-innings total remains key to controlling the narrative.

Team News and Likely Playing XIs

🏴 England

Strengths:

Deep batting with Duckett, Root, and Pope firing
All-round depth with Stokes and Woakes
Home conditions tailor-made for their pacers

Concerns:

Inexperience in the spin department
Over-dependence on top-order contributions

Likely XI:

Zak Crawley
Ben Duckett
Ollie Pope
Joe Root
Harry Brook
Ben Stokes (c)
Jamie Smith (wk)
Chris Woakes
Brydon Carse
Josh Tongue
Shoaib Bashir

🇮🇳 India

Strengths:

Formidable batting lineup; five centurions in the first Test
Jasprit Bumrah in ominous rhythm
Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round consistency

Concerns:

Middle-order fragility under pressure
Lack of penetration from second and third seamers
Missed fielding opportunities hurting momentum

Likely XI:

Yashasvi Jaiswal
KL Rahul
Shubman Gill (c)
Sai Sudharsan / Karun Nair
Rishabh Pant (wk)
Ravindra Jadeja
Kuldeep Yadav
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammed Siraj
Shardul Thakur
Akash Deep / Prasidh Krishna

Players to Watch

🔥 Ben Stokes (ENG) – Captain Fantastic

From sharp leadership calls to inspiring performances, Stokes remains the engine behind England’s red-ball resurgence. His ability to impact games with both bat and ball makes him the most valuable player for the hosts.

🌟 Yashasvi Jaiswal (IND) – Rising Star

Fresh off a masterful century, Jaiswal continues to cement his status as India’s next great opening hope. Edgbaston offers different challenges, but he has the temperament and technique to handle the moving ball.

💥 Jasprit Bumrah (IND) – Lone Warrior

Bumrah’s lion-hearted spells in the first Test underlined his value. But he’ll need help this time. If India are to level the series, Bumrah will have to rattle England’s top order—again.

🎯 Joe Root (ENG) – England’s Axis

Elegant, composed, and a proven performer against India. Root’s success in anchoring the middle order remains a big reason for England’s success. Dismissing him early is non-negotiable for India.

Tactical Battle Lines

💣 India’s Bowling Depth vs England’s Fourth-Innings Might

The major concern for India is their bowling unit’s inability to close out games. While Bumrah was excellent, the lack of support from Siraj, Thakur, and spinners meant that the pressure evaporated. In contrast, England’s batting, especially in fourth innings, thrives on momentum and clarity.

Unless India play a second specialist spinner like Kuldeep Yadav, or an extra seamer like Akash Deep for control, they risk running out of ideas once the ball stops swinging.

🛡️ England’s Bazball vs India’s Patience

England’s attacking approach, spearheaded by Duckett and Pope, has changed the face of Test chases. India’s bowlers, however, must resist the urge to overattack. Sticking to consistent lines and building pressure is key. A few early wickets, and Bazball can crumble.

Dream11 Fantasy Preview

🧠 Top Picks

Wicketkeeper: Rishabh Pant – returning to full fitness and looked sharp with the bat
Batters: Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul
All-rounder: Ben Stokes – indispensable in this format
Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue

🧢 Captain & Vice-Captain Choices

Option 1: Ben Stokes (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal (VC)
Option 2: Joe Root (C), KL Rahul (VC)

🔄 Backups to Consider

Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Zak Crawley, Shoaib Bashir

What’s at Stake?

For England, it’s about consolidating their lead and continuing the Bazball juggernaut. A 2-0 scoreline would put them in pole position to win the series and build valuable World Test Championship points.

For India, it’s now or never. Having squandered a golden opportunity in the opener, the team cannot afford a similar collapse. Questions will grow louder over the bowling depth and fielding lapses if they go down again.

This is also a key test for Shubman Gill’s leadership. With Rohit Sharma not part of this tour, Gill needs to show tactical maturity and maintain dressing room composure in high-pressure moments.

Final Word: Redemption or Domination?

The second Test at Edgbaston offers a storyline richer than just scores and statistics. It’s a clash of mindsets—England’s aggression vs India’s resilience. It’s also a battle for psychological supremacy early in a long series.

Will India rise from the disappointment and fix their bowling woes?
Can England continue their fearless run and break India’s spirit further?

All eyes now turn to Birmingham. One team seeks validation, the other vindication. And as always in Test cricket, the real drama will unfold not in a single session—but over five grueling days of pressure, skill, and grit.

Let the Edgbaston epic begin.

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