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India will be squaring off against England in the first Test of a five-match series, starting on Thursday in Hyderabad. India will be missing star pacer Mohammed Shami as he continues to recover from a ankle injury suffered during the World Cup. The Rohit Sharma-led side will also be without the services of former captain Virat Kohli, who has pulled out of the squad for the first two Tests citing personal reason. The selection committee named Madhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar as Kohli’s replacement for the games in Hyderabad and Vizag.
Patidar, who is yet to make his debut, appeared for India A and scored 151 against the England Lions in Ahmedabad. The right-handed batter is currently in his top form which would help the hosts in the upcoming Test series against England.
Here’s what we think could be India’s playing XI for 1st Test vs England:
Openers: Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal
At the top of the order, Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to keep his place. He is likely to partner India captain Rohit Sharma to open the innings.
Both the players had a difficult outing in the Test series against South Africa. Rohit and Jaiswal will aim to give India strong starts throughout the series.
Middle-Order: Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and KS Bharat (wk)
With Jaiswal to open with Rohit, Shubman Gill will continue to bat at no. 3. With Kohli out for the first two Tests, India’s No.4 and 5 will be Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul with KS Bharat doing the wicket-keeping duties.
Unfortunately, Patidar will have to wait a bit longer for his Test debut. Young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel‘s selection came as a surprise, but his inclusion in the XI over the experienced Bharat is highly unlikely.
All-Rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin
Veterans Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin will add more firepower to India’s batting down the order with three and five Test centuries, respectively, to their names.
Both are also expected to play a key role with the ball on Indian conditions. Jadeja might often get viewed as a supporting act to Ashwin, but in his own right, the Saurashtra man is a potent threat, and his deliveries that dart on straight could confuse the batters on a turner.
Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj
In all likelihood, India will also include a third spinner to the combination in the form of Kuldeep Yadav, who impressed on his return to the Test side last year against Bangaldesh.
Kuldeep could bench Axar Patel, who offers more with the bat and had a series to remember when England toured India last time out.
India captain Rohit confirmed on the eve of the first Test that they will play with two pacers. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are the two main outlets in that department.
India’s Predicted XI vs England:
Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, KS Bharat, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj
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