IND vs ENG 1st Test: India are all set to host the English Cricket team in a five-match red ball series starting 25 January. Both teams have dealt a couple of blows as some big names are missing in the first test. Team India will be without the services of Virat Kohli and here we are with the India playing 11 without Virat Kohli for the IND vs ENG 1st Test prediction.
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The absence of Kohli will be a major setback for the hosts, not only because of his experience but also because of his Test record versus England. With five hundreds and nine fifties, Kohli has amassed 1991 runs at an average of 42.36 from 28 Tests. He ranks fifth in the Test match history between India and England.
While Virat is missing the first two matches of the series, it won’t be easy to fill his shoes. Although the BCCI has not yet announced a replacement, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rajat Patidar, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Sarfaraz Khan appear to be the front-runners.
It seemed BCCI broke ways with Pujara and Rahane, but might look towards them as the replacement of Virat Kohli. The last time Pujara played for India was in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. However, he began the Ranji Trophy this year against Jharkhand with an unbeaten double-century before scoring three 40s and a half-century in his following two games.
Below is the Team India Playing 11 prediction for the IND vs ENG 1st Test:
IND vs ENG: India playing 11 for the First Test against England prediction
Skipper Rohit Sharma has been top pick for India since he played his first test as designated opener. With him, will be batting Yashasvi Jaiswal as this youngster has been impressive in the first class cricket in subcontinent condition.
Shubman Gill is set to bat third. He has been suffering a bit in the recent times with his form in the red-ball format since his demotion to third place, but in the absence of Virat Kohli, his responsibilities will be doubled at the top.
The replacement of Virat Kohli is yet to be announced by BCCI and it seems whoever the replacement will be, he would be directly playing number 4 and Pujara and Rajat Patidar are the front runners currently. The team management might also look for KS Bharat but it would be a poor bet.
Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are first choice number 5 and number 6 respectively. It has been quite a while since a big innings from Shreyas Iyer and he is expected to have some this series. KL Rahul will be keeping wickets and will bat at 6.
Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja would be the two spinners who can bat down the order. Ashwin has fabulous bowling records against England and the duo would be threatening on old pitch.
When it comes to the fast bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj are set to back in the playing 11. Last time when India played England in England, these two bowlers were all over the English Batters and the same is expected this time as well.
BCCI have shown trust towards Mukesh Kumar but an impressive performance is due. He will the 11th men in the team and he is expected to showcase his seaming skills against the team playing Bazball Cricket.
IND vs ENG: India’s Expected Playing 11
Rohit Sharma (C)
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Shubman Gill
Pujara/Rajat Patidar
Shreyas Iyer
KL Rahul (wk)
Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravindra Jadeja
Jasprit Bumrah (VC)
Mohammad Siraj
Mukesh Kumar
Indian Squad for first 2 tests vs England
Rohit Sharma (C ), S Gill, Y Jaiswal, S Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan, Virat Kohli(unavailable)
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