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Preview of India Vs England, 2nd Test at Mumbai (Nov 23-27, 2012)

Monty Panesar likely to play in the Mumbai TestEngland will be looking to bounce back from their nine-wicket First Test defeat to India on Friday when the Second Test gets underway in Mumbai (Paddy Power online betting have a range of odds already up for the Second Test action).

The Three Lions were outclassed by the home side, in particular in the batting department in the opening innings, where they could only manage 191 in reply to the 521 that India declared with. It was Cheteshwar Pujara who did all the damage with his unbeaten 206 after the hosts won the toss and elected to bat first on what was expected to be a good wicket for the batsmen.

There was an improvement in the second innings by England, largely down to the 176 scored by the captain Alastair Cook, who got his side off to a good start with his partnership with Nick Compton. A good knock of 91 from Matt Prior further down the order also helped. However, it wasn’t enough to force a draw on the final day as India needed just 77 to win and managed it off just 16 overs with Pujara again still at the crease.

The visitors will be without Steven Finn once again for the next Test in Mumbai after he was withdrawn from the squad with a thigh injury. He picked up the problem during their clash against India A in their opening warm up match of the tour.  Andy Flowers is hoping his fast-arm bowler can still play some part in the series in a bid to help England defy the current cricket betting odds but a lot will depend on his scan on Wednesday.

There will also be no Ian Bell in the X1 as he has returned home to be with his wife who gave birth earlier this week. He was bowled out for a golden duck in the first innings but managed 22 the second time around before being lbw to Umesh Yadav.

The pace attack of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan managed just one wicket between them in Ahmedabad. Therefore, Monty Panesar has been tipped up for a recall to add to the spinning department which worked so well for India. Pragyan Ojha managed to pick up nine wickets during the two innings, with Ravichandran Ashwin also chipping in with the majority of the dismissals. It was also the spin bowling of Graeme Swann that worked best for England, with the Nottinghamshire man taking five wickets in a bowling attack that struggled to cope with the conditions.