England head coach Chris Silverwood while reflecting on the combination for the second Test match between India and England said that the team management is not reluctant to change their winning combination from the first Test as it ensures longevity for the players.
English pacer James Anderson lighted up the final day of the Chennai Test as he extracted reverse swing, which troubled the Indian batsmen, and returned with the figures of 3 for 17 in 11 overs in India's second innings to set England on their way to a comprehensive 227-run victory.
During the recently concluded Sri Lanka tour, England followed the rotation policy and played Stuart Broad in the first Test while pacer James Anderson was picked in the playing XI for the second Test.
However, inferring to the rotation policy England’s head coach Chris Silverwood said he is not reluctant to change the winning combination despite knowing India will bounce back hard.
"I'm not reluctant to change a winning team now if it's the best thing to do for the players and the team and the longevity of it.
You run the risk of the result being different, you could play the same team and the result would be different because we know India will come back hard. We know they're a very good team and we've got the utmost respect for them," Chris Silverwood said in the virtual press conference.
Earlier, The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had already announced that wicket-keeper Jos Buttler will return home after Test-match and will be back to India for the white-ball series.
With Jos Buttler not being available, Ben Foakes will take over the wicket-keeping duties for the remainder of three Test matches. Reflecting on the same Silverwood said that Ben Foakes is training hard and added that it’s an opportunity for Foakes to come in and show what he can do.
"Ben is looking good and has been training hard and obviously having this opportunity coming his way has given him a great focus over the last couple of weeks.
“I don't see it as weakening, I see it as an opportunity for people to come in and show what they can do as well because last time he was in the subcontinent he was very successful. So I am looking forward to him," he said.
With a commanding 227-run victory against India in the first Test in Chennai, England are now straddled at the top of the WTC table with 70.2 percentage points. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli-led side has dropped three places to fourth.
Team India can't afford to lose another Test in the series as that will mean conceding their spot in the World Test Championship Final and will open up chances for England and Australia.
(ANI inputs)
