Predicting India’s Playing XI for 1st Test vs England

The India vs England Test series has almost arrived at the door step. The first test match between two nations will commence for 4th August. This will be India’s first match after the defeat by New Zealand in the WTC Final in June. The team has been on a month-long break from international cricket. Team India led by skipper Virat Kohli will take on England in their home. The first Test will be played at Trent Bridge. A few things have changed since the WTC Final and we might witness some changes in the squad of India. In this article, we will show you our Predicting India’s Playing XI for 1st Test vs England.

After the World Test Championship Final, a few Indian players have been ruled out of the series due to injuries. Shubman Gill was injured, Avesh Khan suffered a fracture in his thumb, Washington Sundar also suffered an injury. All of them have been sent back to India and the Indian team management had already asked for replacements. Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav were selected to join the squad in England. It would be quite exciting to see what will be India’s playing XI for the First test against England.

India’s Playing XI for 1st Test vs England

Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah

Openers : Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal

Shubman Gill has been ruled out due to an injury. He was a starter for India in tests and therefore his absence has left a blank spot in the opening. It is being anticipated that Mayank Agarwal will be chosen to partner Rohit Sharma at the top. Rohit Sharma is the regular starter for team India in all three formats of the game. Mayank Agarwal has not been given many chances in the past and therefore the management might select him this time in the playing XI.

Middle Order : Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli & KL Rahul

There is no doubt about India’s No 3 and 4. Cheteshwar Pujara will play at No 3 and the Indian captain at No 4. Pujara’s low scores in both the innings of WTC Final & drop catch of Ross Taylor would’ve burned him from inside. He will be looking forward to prove himself again.

Skipper Virat Kohli is struggling to score his 71st century. The captain is not in a bad form but he is not been able to convert his half centuries in century. The test vs England might end the drought of century for Virat Kohli.

Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane was ruled out of the three-day match against County Select XI due to injuries. If he might not be fit then KL Rahul might be given the chance to play in the middle order.

Wicket-Keeper : Rishabh Pant

The explosive wicketkeeper batsman, Rishabh Pant will keep the gloves for Team India in the first test vs England. He has established himself as a regular starter above Saha. Pant has impressed with his fearless batting style in Tests since the start of this year.

Spinner : Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin might be the only spinner for India in first test against England. Ashwin showed the magic of his spin attack in ICC World Test Championship 2019-21 tournament, emerging as the highest wicket-taker with 70 wickets.

Fast Bowlers : Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah

Taking into consideration the overcast seamer-friendly conditions in the England, the Indian management might go out with four seamers in their playing XI. Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah are regular starters in the playing XI. Shardul Thakur might be selected as the fourth seamer as he is also able to bat. Thakur can get the ball to swing and he can also chip in with the bat.