The second T20 International between India and England is set to take place on January 25, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST at the MA Chidambaram stadium chennai. India leads the five-match series 1-0 after a convincing seven-wicket victory in the first game. England will be eager to bounce back and level the series in this crucial encounter.
Pitch Report
The MA Chidambaram Stadium, commonly known as Chepauk, is traditionally known for its spin-friendly pitches. However, recent matches have shown a more balanced surface, offering assistance to both batsmen and bowlers. The second T20I is set to be played on a fresh, black-soil pitch, and dew could favor chasing in Chennai. Teams winning the toss might prefer to bowl first to take advantage of the dew factor later in the game.
Team News and Key Players
India:
India's batting lineup looked formidable in the first T20I, with contributions from key players. However, the hosts have suffered a setback with Abhishek Sharma sustaining an ankle injury during a training session, casting doubt over his availability for the match. In the bowling department, spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel were particularly effective, exploiting the conditions to trouble the English batsmen.
England:
England's batting struggled against India's spinners in the first match, managing only 132 runs. Harry Brook attributed some of the difficulties to poor air quality in Kolkata, which made it challenging to pick the spinners. He remains optimistic about better visibility and performance in Chennai. In a bid to strengthen their squad, England has called up Brydon Carse to replace Gus Atkinson for the second T20I. Additionally, Jamie Smith has been added and could make his debut, especially with Jacob Bethell missing training due to illness.
Betting Tips
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Match Outcome: India is looking in tremendous form and has the momentum on their side after winning the first match. The hosts have a very strong spin department, and since the match is in Chepauk, they can pose a significant threat to the visiting batting unit of England.
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Top Batsman: Abhishek Sharma is in stellar touch, having blasted a quickfire 79 off 34 balls in the first innings. He has already given a testament to his batting in the shortest format, managing 335 runs in 12 innings, which includes one century and two fifties.
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Top Bowler: Varun Chakravarthy's mystery spin proved challenging for England in the first T20I, making him a strong candidate to be the top wicket-taker again.
Dream11 Fantasy Team Selection
Wicketkeepers:
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Sanju Samson
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Jos Buttler
Batsmen:
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Abhishek Sharma
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Tilak Varma
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Harry Brook
All-Rounders:
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Axar Patel
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Liam Livingstone
Bowlers:
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Varun Chakravarthy
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Arshdeep Singh
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Jofra Archer
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Adil Rashid
Captain: Varun Chakravarthy
Vice-Captain: Jos Buttler
Fantasy Tips
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Captain and Vice-Captain: Selecting Varun Chakravarthy as captain could yield high points due to his wicket-taking abilities. Jos Buttler, despite a modest score in the first game, is a class player and can be a valuable vice-captain choice.
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Form and Fitness: Monitor the final team announcements, especially concerning Abhishek Sharma's injury status, to make informed decisions.
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Pitch Conditions: Given Chepauk's spin-friendly nature, including multiple spinners in your fantasy lineup could be advantageous.
Match Prediction
Considering India's current form and the spin-friendly conditions at Chepauk, India holds a slight advantage going into the second T20I. However, England's potential lineup changes and their determination to bounce back could make for a closely contested match.
Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to an exciting encounter as both teams vie for supremacy in this pivotal game of the series.
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