Aakash Chopra picks his Team India playing XI for first Test against England

As the days of the India and England Test series are approaching, there has been a lot of speculation emerging regarding India’s playing XI for the first match. The first Test will be held in Chennai and is scheduled to start on February 5, 2021. In a recent video, ex-cricketer and cricket expert Aakash Chopra revealed his pick of 11 players who he thinks should play the first Test. 

In the final Test against Australia in Brisbane, India fielded two debutants, one almost debutant, and two bowlers who had previously made their debuts in the same series. Surprisingly, the combination worked out well for India and produced the most historic win ever. However, there are all the chances that none of those five bowlers will take the field in Chennai. 

Talking about the possibility of Kuldeep Yadav coming into the side, Aakash expressed his view leaned towards playing him. When Ravichandran Ashwin got injured before the final Test, it was expected that Kuldeep would play the final Test. But, the Indian team decided to add a little depth to the batting by playing Washington Sundar. This move worked wonders for the side. 

Aakash Chopra backs Kuldeep Yadav ahead of Axar Patel

Chopra suggested playing three spinners in the side. “According to me, he (Kuldeep) will play because Jadeja is not there and you will play at least two spinners in India. At this point, I feel you can play three,” said Aakash Chopra while speaking on a Facebook video answering fan questions.

“In the playing XI, you can play the same five batsmen – Gill, Rohit, Pujara, Kohli, Rahane. You can keep Rishabh Pant at No.6 and Washington Sundar at No.7, with Ravichandran Ashwin at No.8. So you have batting till No.8,” added Chopra. Axar Patel is also there in the squad as the fourth spinner. 

The former cricketer also suggested that India should go with Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah as the two fast bowlers. Ishant will be returning for the national side after missing the Australian tour due to an injury while Bumrah missed the final Test, after being the leader of the attack in the first two Tests. 

Aakash Chopra’s ideal Indian playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah