With just two days left for the big day when India and England come face-to-face for the first Test match in Chennai on 5 February. It is becoming very difficult to choose the playing XI for the first match. Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma has returned to the Test team after recovering from an injury. In such a situation, it will be very difficult for the team management to choose between Mohammad Siraj and Ishant Sharma.
Chennai’s wicket is going to be helpful for spinners and keeping that in mind, the Indian team can get down with two fast and three spinner bowlers. It will be interesting to see who is chosen as Jasprit Bumrah’s partner. Another challenge is going to be on deciding between Washington Sundar and Axar Patel. Either of the two players can be chosen along with Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav.
In the Brisbane Test match against Australia, Washington Sundar hit a half-century and also took 4 wickets, but with him on the team there will be two similar spinners. Axar Patel is also a powerful batter who can give strength to the team. He can prove to be an alternative to Ravindra Jadeja. It is very difficult for Hardik Pandya to get a chance in the first Test. But looking at the final of the World Test Championship and the five-match Test series in England, his bowling burden is expected to increase.