The much anticipated IND vs ENG series is just a couple of days away from now. India will be taking on England in a five-match series, starting from 25th January in Hyderabad. Bazball vs Indian spinners will be one of the highlights of the series and no doubt it promises to be an entertaining series.
IND vs ENG: India playing 11 for the first Test against England prediction
India will be heading as favourites into the IND vs ENG series. They have played a dominating brand of cricket at home and have made a mockery of the opposition. The Rohit Sharma-led side would be hoping to achieve the same this time around and bag some crucial WTC points.
With the IND vs ENG series just around the corner, let’s take a look at the India playing 11 for the first Test against England prediction:
Openers – Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal; Shubman Gill at No.3
The duo of skipper Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are expected to open the innings for India in the first IND vs ENG Test. They have been decent while batting together at the top but they would be eager to make a statement after a below-par South Africa tour.
Young batter Shubman Gill is likely to bat at No.3 in the IND vs ENG Test. The upcoming series will be extremely crucial for him because has been under the firing line for some time now. The batter he failed in Test cricket at No.3 and would be hoping to change the fortunes in the series.
Middle order – KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and KS Bharat (WK)
Virat Kohli has pulled himself out of the first two games against England due to personal reasons. Therefore it leaves a massive void at No.4. However, it will be an opportunity for KL Rahul to don the place and play a crucial role in the middle order.
Rahul was the keeper in the South Africa tour but is unlikely to perform the role in IND vs ENG. Therefore with no Kohli, he is likely to bat at No.4. Shreyas Iyer will be retaining his place in the team at No.5 and would be hoping to make an impact.
Iyer came under the firing line due to his failures in South Africa but he had a decent outing in the Ranji Trophy and would be hoping to make impact in the first IND vs ENG Test. KS Bharat, who slammed a ton for India A recently, is likely to keep wickets for the team. It will also be a comeback series for him and he would be hoping to make a big impact.
All-rounders- Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin
The spin trio of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin will no-brainer be the first picks in the team for the first IND vs ENG Test. They are expected to play a huge role with bat and ball in the entire series and it’s fair to say that the result of the series will be reliant on how they perform.
On the turning tracks, they would be eager to go and help the team win. Not only with the ball but they will also have to play a big role for a the team with the bat as well.
Fast bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj
With no Mohammed Shami in the squad, it is likely that Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will be the two pacers in the team. Pacers relatively play little role in the Indian conditions. But with the kind of quality both the bowlers possess, it is fair to say they can change the game at any point.
IND vs ENG: India playing 11 for the first Test against England prediction
Here’s India playing 11 for the first Test IND vs ENG Test
Rohit Sharma (c)
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Shubman Gill
KL Rahul
Shreyas Iyer
KS Bharat (wk)
Ravindra Jadeja
Axar Patel
Ravichandran Ashwin
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammed Siraj