Former England seamer Steve Harmison has cautioned Ben Stokes and the England team against complacency in the Test series against India, despite the hosts missing some first-choice players due to injuries. Steve Harmison believes that the replacements are motivated and in good form, emphasizing the need for England to stay focused in the second Test.
Virat Kohli has withdrawn from the first two Tests of the series for personal reasons, while KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, who played in the opening game, will miss the second Test due to injuries. India’s squad may look inexperienced but we have seen in the past that how the Men in Blue have come out all guns blazing against all odds.
Steve Harmison warns England
Due to the injuries, India has called up Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, and Saurabh Kumar for the second test against England which will played in Vishakapatnam. Steve Harmison speaking to TalkSport has said that Ben Stokes and Co. shouldn’t get carried away despite the star players missing out for India for the second test. Harmison said,
“They are bringing in players who played against the England Lions over these last two weeks in two four-day Test matches and are bang in form,”
“As much as the big names are gone, England fans should hold their horses. They are not only in form but are also hungry to perform in the Test arena,”
Sarfaraz Khan and Saurabh Kumar, both uncapped in Test cricket, have been included in the Indian squad for the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam. On the other hand, Washington Sundar, who last played a Test match against England in March 2021, returns to the squad. Sundar had made a memorable contribution in that Test, scoring 96 runs and taking the crucial wicket of Ben Stokes as India secured an innings victory.
It’s a huge loss for India– Steve Harmison
Harmison emphasized that India would feel the absence of KL Rahul’s batting prowess, particularly considering his impressive performance in the Hyderabad Test. He cited Ravindra Jadeja’s impactful contribution, pointing out the significance of key players missing from the lineup.
It’s huge for India, 1-0 down with one of the icons of the game (Kohli) missing the first two Test matches and then to lose KL Rahul, he is the calming influence. He was very very calm the way he batted in that Test match, when all things were carnage around him,”
“With Jadeja, if I was picking a team around the world to play on any surface, anywhere around the world, my first pick would be Jadeja. He’s an unbelievable talent who can bat, bowl, and field,”