India vs England: Changes in the England playing 11 for the 2nd T20I?

The England team has confirmed several changes to their lineup for the second T20I in Chennai as they look to bounce back from a disappointing defeat in Kolkata. In the opening match, England were beaten by seven wickets, a result that has left the visitors keen to regain their footing in the series. One of the most notable changes is the omission of right-arm pacer Gus Atkinson. The 29-year-old Brydon Carse is expected to take his place in the XI, bringing fresh energy to the pace attack. Carse’s inclusion would add depth and variation to the bowling unit, offering the team a more dynamic option against the Indian batsmen.

Additionally, there is speculation that young wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith could make his T20I debut. Smith has been named in the first 12 for the match, which suggests that he could be in line for a spot in the starting lineup. His inclusion would provide further flexibility to England's batting order, with Smith's aggressive style of play complementing the team's attacking approach. With the series placed at 0-1, England will be looking to make an immediate impact in Chennai, hoping that the changes to the lineup will provide the necessary spark to level the series and keep their hopes alive.

England could only manage a modest total of 132 runs in their opening T20I against India at Eden Gardens, with Jos Buttler being the lone standout performer. The England skipper top-scored with a vital 68 off 44 balls, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled to find any rhythm. In response, India chased down the target effortlessly in just 12.5 overs, thanks to a brilliant knock from Abhishek Sharma. The dominant victory meant that England entered the second T20I in Chennai trailing 0-1 in the five-match series, with their backs firmly against the wall.

As for Jamie Smith, the young wicketkeeper-batter has shown promise early in his career. In the nine matches he has played, he averages a solid 42.47, indicating his potential with the bat. However, his form in white-ball cricket has been less impressive. After seven ODIs, Smith's average drops to a modest 22.17, highlighting his struggle to replicate his domestic success on the international stage. If given the opportunity in Chennai, Smith will be hoping to make an immediate impact and justify his place in the squad.

England 12-member squad for 2nd T20I against India

Ben Duckett, Phil Salt (wk), Jos Buttler (c), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood and Jamie Smith (in contention).