India's predicted Playing XI for the first T20 against England

India would kick-start the challenging tour of England with the T20 series. The first of the three T20s will be played on the 3rd of July at Manchester.

The Indian team is coming off a comprehensive series win against Ireland. India put up a dominant performance in the two T20s against the hosts and beat them convincingly in both the matches.

However, the Indian team will know that the competition will be a lot more tough against England. England thrashed Australia in the ODI series 5-0 and then won the lone T20 too. The English side is high on confidence and will look to continue their winning streak. The Indian team will be wary of this threat and will put their best foot forward.

Most of the Indian players are coming off a good IPL season and a good Ireland series and will look to carry on that form. However, one problem that the Indian team management will face is the problem of plenty when it comes to selecting the playing XI. India experimented a lot with the playing XI in the two T20s against Ireland and most of the players looked in sublime touch. With all the players in top form, it will be interesting to see which players will be benched. We will look at India's probable playing XI for the first T20.

Follow Sportskeeda to keep yourself updated on all latest sports news, football transfers and predictions.

Openers

Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan has been in tremendous form

Shikhar Dhawan has been in top form of late. The Indian team will bank on Dhawan's aggressive approach and will be looking for a quick start from the southpaw. He had a brilliant IPL season and helped Sunrisers Hyderabad reach the finals by playing some crucial innings at the top of the order. Dhawan also looked in good nick in the first T20 against Ireland where he made 74 runs off just 45 balls.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma has two T20I hundreds to his name

Rohit Sharma was one of those few international Indian players who had a lean IPL 2018. While as a captain he failed to take Mumbai Indians to the playoffs, his personal performance wasn't great either. However, Rohit Sharma showed his class in the first T20 against Ireland by hitting 97 runs. Rohit will be crucial to India's chances in the T20 and ODI series.

Middle Order

KL Rahul

KL Rahul made 70 runs in the second T20 against Ireland

KL Rahul had a spectacular IPL season playing for Kings XI Punjab. But with well-established openers like Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan in the side it seemed difficult for Rahul to get a game. However, Dhawan was rested for the 2nd T20 against Ireland and Rahul was included in the playing XI. He played a fluent knock of 70 runs and won the man-of-the-match award. Looking at Rahul's excellent form he might get another game, not as an opener though.

Virat Kohli

Kohli will want to start well

Kohli will know the importance of starting the challenging tour on a winning note. Kohli must be pleased with the series win against Ireland and the Indian captain will want to continue the winning momentum. Kohli had a couple of poor outings against Ireland scoring just 9 runs in two innings and will look to get back in the runs. Kohli will also be keen to improve his record in England.

Suresh Raina

Raina will be key in tackling Ali and Rashid

Suresh Raina's world cup dream was given a lifeline when he was chosen as a replacement of Ambati Rayudu for the ODI leg of the tour. Good performances in the T20s against England will help Raina push for a place in playing XI for the ODIs as well. Raina has had a decent IPL season for Chennai Superkings and scored 69 runs in the second match against Ireland. He might have to play in the lower middle-order, which might be a blessing in disguise for the Indian team as Raina will be crucial in tackling Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid.

Wicket-keeper and All-rounder

MS Dhoni

Can Dhoni continue his golden run that started in the

IPL ?

Mahendra Singh Dhoni enhanced his reputation that of a finisher by playing some gritty match-winning innings for CSK in the recently concluded IPL. Dhoni also seems to have found ways to score runs in the death overs, something that he has struggled to do in the recent past. The former captain did not get much opportunity against Ireland but will have a bigger role to play against England. He will also be crucial in guiding young Indian spinners from behind the stumps.

Hardik Pandya

Pandya's aggressive batting has given India important runs at the back of the innings

Hardik Pandya has improved by leaps and bounds in international cricket. He has grown in confidence with each match that he has played for the Indian team and has become an integral part of the squad. Pandya has used the long handle to good effect and scored quick runs in the death overs. However, Pandya will need to work on his bowling as he has been guilty of being inconsistent with the ball. Pandya will be vital to India's chances on the tour.

Spinners

Kuldeep Yadav

Ireland batsmen looked clueless against Kuldeep

Kuldeep Yadav has been a revelation in ODI cricket for the Indian team. The Chinaman has foxed a lot of batsmen with his variations. After a successful IPL season for Kolkata Knight Riders, Kuldeep continued his purple patch in the series against Ireland too. He took 7 wickets in 2 matches and looked unplayable at times. The England team will be wary of the threat that Kuldeep possesses and will look to play him out safely.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal has been a wicket-taker for India

Yuzvendra Chahal is the other part of India's spin twin. Chahal has been a star performer for the Indian team in the recent past. The Haryana spinner has been a wicket-taker for the Indian team and complimented Kuldeep Yadav brilliantly. Despite taking a lot of wickets, Chahal has given away too many runs at times. The leg-spinner might want to work on that area. It will be interesting how the England batsmen bat against the attacking Indian spinners.

Fast bowlers

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvi will be keen to get back into top form

Bhuvneshwar Kumar had a mediocre IPL season, considering his own high standards, mainly due to injuries. However, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been a consistent performer for the Indian team. Bhuvi, who was only considered a new ball bowler, has improved tremendously in the death overs and has emerged as the leader of the bowling attack. The conditions in England are tailor-made for Bhuvi and he will look to make full use of the conditions.

Umesh Yadav

Yadav took two wickets against Ireland

With Jasprit Bumrah injured the Indian team management might look to play the experienced Umesh Yadav. Yadav has been hot and cold in the recent past, but his spectacular performance in the IPL might earn him a place in the playing XI. He troubled a lot of batsmen with his pace and ended up being RCB's highest wicket-taker. Even though he looked a bit wayward in the second T20 against Ireland, he seems to be the best option to replace Bumrah in the playing XI.