India's Predicted Playing XI for the first Test against England

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.

Here’s India’s Predicted XI for the first Test against England:

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 hundreds 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.

Having being scored 129 runs in the four innings in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rohit Sharma is set to retain his place as an opener in the first Test match against England.

Rohit Sharma has represented India in 33 Tests and has scored 2,219 runs at a healthy average of 46.32. His tally of 2,219 runs includes 6 centuries and 11 half-centuries.