Mohammed Siraj dropped, Shubman Gill took number four as the Indian playing XI for the first England Test announced

Former Indian head coach Anil Kumble has announced his playing XI for the first Test against England. He backed KL Rahul to open the innings and skipper Shubman Gill to take the number four spot in the team for the series. 

The Indian team will square off with England in the five-match Test series. The opening game of the series is all set to be played at the Headingley in Leeds. It will mark the beginning of a new era in Indian cricket as new captain Shubman Gill is all set to take charge. 

After the BCCI announced the Test squad, there has been a lot of speculation about what will be the playing XI of India. However, Anil Kumble has shared his take on the same and has named his team for the first game. 

Anil Kumble backed KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal to open the innings. The duo did the same in Australia and would be keen to do the same. At three picked one among Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sai Sudharsan. Both the batters are yet to make their debut for the team. 

Anil Kumble also feels that Shubman Gill will take Virat Kohli's spot in the team at number four. Rishabh Pant will retain his fifth spot while Karun Nair is expected to bat at number six as per the former Indian head coach. 

Anil Kumble also backed Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur to be two all-rounders in the team. While Jasprit Bumrah, along with Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep, were picked by him as three pacers. What caught the attention of many was he dropped Mohammed Siraj, who has been one of the finest for the team in format. 

Anil Kumble predicts Indian XI for the first Test against England 

Here's Anil Kumble's Indian XI for the first Test against England 

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran/Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep