Predicting India’s Playing XI for first Test against England

Predicting India’s Playing XI for 1st Test against England. A grand feast is waiting for the cricket purists. The Indian team will be taking on the Ben Stokes-led England in a 5-match Test series starting this month. It is a critical series for both sides considering the valuable World Test Championship points at stake. In this article, we will look at the probable playing XI for India in the first Test at Hyderabad.

Top Order

Captain Rohit Sharma has got a new opening partner in Yashasvi Jaiswal and this series will be a big test for this pair. Rohit has proved himself in the longest format and his record in home conditions is phenomenal. Team India would hugely rely on the opening pair to lay a solid foundation. 

No.3 has always been a crucial position in the batting order and Team India has entered a phase of transition which has resulted in a change of face in this position. Shubman Gill has been given an opportunity but his start has not been that great and this series will allow him to establish himself as a No.3.

Middle Order

Virat Kohli will be leading the middle order for India. Virat would be looking to get over a lean patch in Test cricket. KL Rahul and KS Bharat will be the other important figures in this middle order. Rahul has been in a top-notch form and his century in South Africa has given him a new lease of life in Test cricket. Team management has included KS Bharat in the squad and he is likely to start because of his wicketkeeping skills. 

Bowling unit

The prominence of the spin department amplifies in Indian conditions which makes the job of Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Axar Patel even more decisive. These three spinners will hold a lot of significance as they will be the biggest threat to the visitors. 

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj will be the frontline pacers for India in the first Test. It will be the first time Bumrah will be seen playing a Test match in India and the star bowler would be keen on making a resounding comeback.