India vs England: Gautam Gambhir picks his ideal XI for 1st Test

India is all set to stand neck to neck with England for the four-match Test series commencing 5 February. After India’s heroics in Australia in all the odd situations, the youngsters became the favourites and made a serious case for their selection in upcoming matches. However, with senior players coming back to the form, it will be a thing to see how India sets its ideal XI against England for the 1st Test in Chennai.

While many people have come up with their thoughts on the playing XI of India, the latest name is of former cricketer Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir feels that India should go with five bowlers in any case and has backed Axar Patel as his choice of an all-rounder in absence of Ravindra Jadeja. Gambhir feels that he can provide a great batting option, and Ravi Ashwin along with him would be good to go in Chennai.

“Five bowlers, hundred percent. I have always been a firm believer that India has to go in with five bowlers in any condition. So, probably Axar bats at No.7, it is a direct swap between Jadeja and Axar, Ashwin at No.8. Ashwin will be really confident after what he did at the SCG, Axar can contribute with the bat. So, India needs about 350-odd runs, and they have got the bowling attack to get England out,” said Gambhir on Star Sports’ Game Plan.

Gambhir backs Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma as opening pair of India

Further, Gambhir added that he would like to give rest to ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test and would further play him in the pink ball Test at Ahmedabad. Gambhir has decided to stick to the opening pair of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma as Gill was at his fluent best in the Test series in Australia. Ishant Sharma and Hardik Pandya didn’t find any place in Gambhir’s playing XI.

Gautam Gambhir’s Playing XI– Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Axar Patel, Ravi Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj