The Indian cricket team is all set for their first series at home amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Virat Kohli's side will take on England in four Tests which will be their final series in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle. There is plenty at stake for both sides in the series. A series win for India by a margin of 2-0, 2-1, 3-1, 3-0 or 4-0 will guarantee them a spot in the ICC World Test Championship final where they will take on New Zealand in Lord's in June 2021. For England, they will have to achieve a 38-year feat as they aim to become the first side since the West Indies in 1983 to win three or more Tests in India.
The Indian cricket team is on the ultimate high after winning in Australia for the second consecutive time. During the course of the tour, the Indian cricket team displayed their massive depth of talent as they utilised their entire squad to give India a famous win. On the tour, the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, T Natarajan and Shardul Thakur showed their immense talent as they helped India win the series 2-1, which included a famous win in Brisbane that ended Australia's 32-year unbeaten reign at the Gabba. With the squad welcoming back veterans like Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma back in the side, there will be a problem of plenty confronting the Indian cricket team ahead of the series against England.
Ideal playing 11 for India
The Indian batting order now looks even more potent with the return of Virat Kohli. The Indian skipper missed three out of the four Tests in Australia as he returned back to India on paternity leave as he and his wife Anushka Sharma became parents in the first week of January. The return of veteran Ishant Sharma as well as the recoveries to Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin have given India a tremendous boost.
Shubman Gill impressed in the Australia series and he will open the batting with Rohit Sharma. Cheteshwar Pujara is an automatic number three spot, Virat Kohli is at No.4 while Ajinkya Rahane will be at number five. Rishabh Pant was the match-winner in Brisbane and he will be at No.6, giving the Indian batting tremendous depth. Add to that, R Ashwin has been declared fit and he will play in his home venue. Now, it is in the bowling that India have the problem of plenty.
With Jasprit Bumrah fit and Ishant Sharma all but set to return, there are two spots up for grabs. Mohammed Siraj emerged as the leader of the attack in Australia and that might make him an asset even for the Tests in India. The second bowling all-rounder could be Washington Sundar as his spin and batting could add a bit more depth than Hardik Pandya, who has not played in a Test since 2018.
India probable playing 11: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Ishant Sharma
