We will announce the XI tomorrow before we go for the toss: Virat Kohli

India is all set to lock horns with England in a five-match Test series kicking off on August 04. The mega series between the two heavyweights will mark the commencement of the 2021-23 cycle of the World Test Championship. In the same sequence of events, there is a lot of noise around India’s opening combination and fans are curious to know the partner of Rohit Sharma.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli cleared some air over the same and added the people will get to know about the XI on playing day itself. It will be a thing to see who will take the pads with Rohit Sharma as first choice openers are already out of contention due to injury concerns. While Shubman Gill got ruled out earlier due to a stress injury, Mayank Agarwal suffered a concussion ahead of the series opener and will warm bench during the same game.

“We will announce the XI tomorrow before we go for the toss, so you can know who is opening with Rohit. We are absolutely fine and happy with where we are placed,” said Kohli in a virtual press conference on Tuesday.

“We will announce the playing XI tomorrow. So, you will know whom will open alongside Rohit tomorrow.”
– Virat Kohli #ENGvIND

— Prajakta (@18prajakta) August 3, 2021

India is better prepared than they have been in the past, reckons Virat Kohli

Talking about India’s high-profile series against England, it remains to be seen if the visiting side will be able to turn tables in their favour. The last time they returned victorious from English soil was in 2007 when legendary batsman Rahul Dravid fired the England bowlers. India is yet to win a series in England in last 14 years and their capabilities to tackle the moving ball will be laid bare again in front of the English seamers.

However, Kohli also asserted that they are quite well placed than they have been in the past but it will all boil down to their execution. India will play the series opener in Trent Bridge which happens to be India’s most successful venue over the years. India’s only victory in their last tour to England came here as Virat Kohli led the way with the bat.