NEW DELHI: Former India batsmen VVS Laxman and Wasim Jaffer on Saturday welcomed the return of fans to the stadium as the second Test between India and England allowed 50 per cent spectators at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. This is the first time in over a year since the Covid-19 pandemic struck that fans in India are allowed in an international match.
India will look to bounce back in front of the home crowd trailing 0-1 in the four-match Test series. Home skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first.
“Glad Fans are back in the stadium for the 2nd #IndvEng test in Chennai. They are the biggest stakeholders and an integral part of our sport and I expect them to make a massive difference. Good toss to win for India and hope they make it count by scoring big in the 1st innings,” Laxman tweeted.

Jaffer too expressed his happiness over return of fans to the stadium.
“Very happy to see fans back at the Chepauk. The fans are the heartbeat of our sport. Indian cricket wouldn’t be as big as it is today if not for the constant support of passionate fans. #INDvsENG.”

India made three changes to their playing XI. Kohli handed a debut Test cap to all-rounder Axar Patel, who missed the series opener because of pain in his left knee.
Apart from Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj came in for the hosts in place of Shahbaz Nadeem and Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested as part of workload management.

On the other hand, the visitors made four changes to their playing XI. Pacer Jofra Archer was ruled out for the second Test on Thursday and Jos Buttler has been rested for the last three Tests. Dom Bess and James Anderson were also not in the eleven.
Ben Foakes, Stuart Broad, Olly Stone and Moeen Ali are in for England.