India vs Eng 2021: Predicting Team India’s Playing XI in the first two test.

Team India’s 2-1 series victory over Australia was one of the greatest comebacks to be recorded in history. Ajinkya Rahane-led side, despite being battered and bruised, showed great character and application to register historic victories at Melbourne (MCG) and Gabba, Brisbane. The team also registered a famous draw in Sydney.

However massive challenge awaits for Team India as England will be arriving on a long tour of India starting from the first week of February. They are slated to play 4 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 5 T20Is against men in blue. The Indian squad for the first two Test matches has been announced and with skipper, Virat Kohli, returning after paternity leave it will be a massive boost for Team India going into the Test series.

With just 1 series left in the World Test Championship, India will have to win at least 3 tests among the 4 to be played to qualify for the finals. Now let’s look at the predicted Test series squad for Team India for the 2021 Home series vs England.

BCCI announces the official squad for the first 2 tests.

1. Virat Kohli (C)

2. Ajinkya Rahane

3. Rohit Sharma

4. Cheteshwar Pujara

5. KL Rahul

6. Shubman Gill

7. Rishabh Pant (WK)

8. Wriddhiman Saha (WK)

9. Mayank Aggarwal

10. Hardik Pandya

11. Ravichandra Ashwin

12. Washington Sundar

13. Axar Patel

14. Jasprit Bumrah

15. Mohommad Siraj

16. Shardul Thakur

17. Ishant Sharma 

18. Kuldeep Yadav

Predicted XI:-

1. Rohit Sharma - Rohit Sharma has a phenomenal record at home batting top of the order, In his first Test series as an opener, he amassed 529 runs at an average of 132.25 with two hundred and one double hundred to his name in the four innings he played. Having an average of 88.33 in the 14 home Tests, the veteran opener will be vital to India’s chances against England.

2. Shubman Gill - Being one of the debutants who impressed everyone with his performance in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Shubman Gill amassed 259 runs at a solid average of 51.80 in the six innings he played. Shubman Gill impressed everyone with his elegant stroke-play at the top of the order and scored 45 & 35* on his debut and followed it up with an elegant fifty at SCG. However, the young 21-years-old came into the limelight once again as he played another stylish inning and scored 91 runs in the series decider at Gabba.

3. Cheteswar Pujara - The rock-solid Cheteshwar Pujara was the unsung hero of India’s Test series victory over Australia in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The 32-years-old right-handed batsman batted out 928 deliveries in the four-match Test series and was the second-highest run-scorer for India with 271 runs to his name.

4. Virat Kohli - Batting at No.4, Virat Kohli will add stability to the middle order. However, finishing the year 2020 without a single century, Virat Kohli would want to start 2021 with a bang as he averages 68.42 at home with bat and will be a big threat for England. The last time skipper Kohli played a Test was in December 2020 against Australia, he scored 74 runs until was run out. The 32-year-old batsman could well be the difference between both sides.

5. Ajinkya Rahane - Having being done a fantastic job as Team India’s leader in Australia, Ajinkya Rahane will return to his vice captain’s role against England. The former was one of the highest scorers among Indians in Australia. With Virat Kohli being back in the squad, Ajinkya Rahane is set to play at his position at No.5. Rahane was the architect of India’s famous win in Melbourne and the former would want to carry his form to the series against England. The 33-year old batsman could be one of the key batsmen to India’s chances against England.

6. Rishabh Pant (WK) - India’s Brisbane Test hero, Rishabh Pant, is likely to retain his place. Many fans feel Wriddhiman Saha is a better gloveman than Pant. However, one cannot ignore Pant’s match-winning performance in Australia. However, with Pant being in limelight for his wicketkeeping skills, he will have to face challenges in the spinning conditions as his record behind the stumps is not which one would want to have.

7. Washington Sundar - The 21-year-old Sundar was asked to stay back in Australia after the white-ball leg of the tour and practiced at the nets, which helped him in his unplanned Test debut at the Gabba. R Ashwin’s injury ahead of the 4th Test-match was a blessing in disguise for Washington Sundar as he made his Test debut for India. Impressing everyone with his all-around performance and with Ravindra Jadeja not being available, the all-rounder from Tamil Nadu is expected to retain his place.

8. Ravichandra Ashwin - Having been missed the last Test of the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to injury, R Ashwin is set to return to action in the first Test match against England at his home ground. The veteran off-spinner will fancy his chances against the England batsmen, who are not that much comfortable against spin.

9. Mohd Siraj - Mohd Siraj, the hero of India's bowling in the Australian series who took 13 wickets and made his dream debut. Being racially abused by Australian fans and subjected to trolls by IPL fans, he outplayed everyone. He will be a master key of India against England.

10. Ishant Sharma - After missing the Australia tour due to a side strain injury Ishant Sharma is expected to be drafted straightaway into India’s XI against England. Returning to action after almost a year, the senior pacer will be raring to go and grab few scalps with the new ball to his name. The ace pacer is currently three matches short of becoming only the second Indian fast bowler to play 100 Test matches after Kapil Dev.

11. Jasprit Bumrah - Being forced to sit out of the Gabba Test due to abdominal strain, star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah is expected to feature in the first Test match against England. He is one of the bowlers to watch out for. The first Test match against England will be his first at home soil and all eyes will be on the 27-year-old fiery pacer as to how he will perform in the subcontinent conditions, where pitch conditions don’t offer much for fast bowlers.