India batting coach Vikram Rathour backs Gill, Iyer and Jaiswal ahead of the second Test

“There’s a difference between playing with intent and playing attacking cricket. I want them to play with intent. If there is the opportunity to score some runs, they should take it,” Rathour said.

Prep mode 🔛#TeamIndia get into the groove for the 2⃣nd #INDvENG Test in Vizag 👌 👌@IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/BiN0XjLzMu

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 31, 2024

“They need to decide by looking at the surface and conditions. So, the batters need to possess that intelligence as to which is the best or safest shot on the surface.”

"Mr Ravindra Jadeja and Mr KL Rahul have been ruled out of the second IDFC First Bank Test against England in Vizag, starting February 02, 2024," the BCCI said in a media release. "The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring the progress of the duo," it added.

The selection committee has added Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan, left-arm spinner Sourabh Kumar and all-rounder Washington Sundar to the squad for the second Test. It is a maiden national call-up for Sarfaraz after scoring truck load of runs in domestic cricket and more recently in the India A series against England Lions.

Thank you, Hyderabad 🙏

Hello, Vizag! 👋

🇮🇳 #INDvENG 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/maaI7WY88c

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 31, 2024

“Could they have batted with more discipline? Maybe they could have. That’s what they need to decide and come up with their plans,” he said.

“But, they need to score runs by playing their shots, as you need to back your strengths. Batting is always about scoring runs. It’s not about not getting out but how many runs you put on the board,” he said.

With Virat Kohli already unavailable for the first two Tests due to personal reasons, the injuries to Jadeja and Rahul have made matters worse for India, who find themselves under pressure after losing only their fourth Test at home since 2013. Both Rahul and Jadeja had made significant contributions in the first Test before England staged a remarkable comeback to win the game by 28 runs and go 1-0 up in the five-match series.