England revealed their selected playing XI for the upcoming second Test against India, set to commence on February 2 in Visakhapatnam. In a significant change, experienced fast bowler James Anderson returned to the lineup, taking the place of Mark Wood, who sat out the series opener.

James Anderson, 41, brings a formidable track record on Indian pitches, having secured 34 wickets in 13 Tests at an impressive average of 29.32. The alteration in the bowling department was not limited to this, as Jack Leach, the primary spinner, was forced to withdraw from the match due to a knee injury. In his absence, the uncapped Shoaib Bashir earned a spot in the playing XI as his replacement.

The batting order remains largely unchanged, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett forming the opening pair, succeeded by Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Jonny Bairstow. Captain Ben Stokes is positioned to bat at No. 6, while Ben Foakes retains his role as the designated wicketkeeper-batsman. Additionally, Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley are retained as the two other spinners in the selected playing XI.