England's predicted playing XI for the 1st Test vs India

Middle Order: Zak Crawley, Joe Root (c), Jos Buttler (wk)

Joe Root holds the key

The No. 3 slot was occupied by Jonny Bairstow in the Sri Lanka series, but he finds himself rested for the first two Tests. While captain Joe Root could move up a spot to a position he has batted at in the past, it would be wise to utilise either Zak Crawley or Dan Lawrence instead.

After his record-breaking 267 against Pakistan in Southampton, Crawley managed scores of 9, 8, 5 and 13 in the two Tests against Sri Lanka. But the youngster has already been spoken of as the next Root, and he should be given a longer rope.

Lawrence scored 94 runs on debut in the 1st Test against Sri Lanka, but failed in the second, making 3 and 2 in the two innings. Although he showed promise and definitely has immense potential, he arguably didn't do enough to get the nod ahead of Crawley.

The in-form Joe Root, who was the Man of the Match in both Tests against Sri Lanka as well as the Man of the Series, will walk in at No. 4. With his wide array of sweeps and drives, he'll hold the key to countering the Indian spinners.

Jos Buttler will be the specialist wicket-keeper for the 1st Test, and he'll want to make the most of his only game in the series. The gloveman is in splendid form, and has once again put himself way ahead of Ben Foakes in the pecking order.

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All-rounders: Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali

Ben Stokes is well rested ahead of the India Test series

Ben Stokes, who will be well rested for the 1st Test, will come in at No. 5 for England. The all-rounder will serve as the third seamer for the side, and his gritty batting will make up the backbone of the English middle order.

This might be a controversial selection since Moeen Ali hasn't played Test cricket for England in over a year, but the team doesn't have any other spin-bowling all-rounders. He will serve as the third spinner in the XI, and will take heart from the success he has previously enjoyed against India.

Ali has often been a walking wicket against spin, with Nathan Lyon among those who have tormented him on end. He'll need to step his game up with the bat in this series.