England on Thursday (February 1) announced their playing XI for the second Test against India, starting on February 2 in Visakhapatnam.

After warming the bench in the series opener, veteran pacer James Anderson returned to the visitors’ playing XI, replacing Mark Wood.

Anderson, 41, boasts an impressive record on Indian soil as well, claiming 34 wickets from 13 Tests at an average of 29.32.

The other change in the England line-up was a forced one. As first-choice spinner Jack Leach has been ruled out of the second Test due to a knee injury, uncapped Shoaib Bashir replaced him in the XI.

The rest of the line-up remains the same. The dynamic duo of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will open the innings, followed by Ollie Pope, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow.

Skipper Ben Stokes is slotted to bat at No. 6 while Ben Foakes is the designated wicketkeeper-batter in the side. Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley are the two other spinners in the playing XI.

Having won the opening Test in Hyderabad, England are leading the five-match series 1-0.

England’s playing XI for second Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, James Anderson, Shoaib Bashir