India's predicted starting XI against England in first test match

The Indian squad for the test match series has been announced. Rohit Sharma was once again ignored by the selectors for Test matches. He failed to make the cut for the squad against Afghanistan as well. Karun Nair managed to get in while there are doubts about Bhuvi's participation.

He has aggravated his lower back condition and will be assessed by the medical team. It is highly unlikely that he will play the first couple of matches as India wouldn't want their premier fast bowler to aggravate this injury. Jasprit Bumrah will return after missing the limited over games against England. However, he will not be available for the first test match.

This leaves India without two of their best fast bowlers for the first test match. However, on the bright side, none of the batsmen is injured and Saha's injury could be a blessing in disguise.

DK is a better batsman than Saha and his batting will be very important. Rishab Pant has been called up to the squad as the backup keeper. Kuldeep Yadav has been selected in the squad as well.

India's squad is as follows: Virat Kohli (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, M Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-capt), Karun Nair, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur

Here's a look at India's probable playing XI for the first test match against England.

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Openers: KL Rahul and Murali Vijay

KL Rahul could edge Dhawan for a spot in the line-up

KL Rahul is technically sound and one of the most gifted batsmen on this planet. He is known for his error-free batting and ability to score runs with ease. He has scored 1512 runs in 38 innings at an average of 40.86 in Test match cricket.

He could edge Shikhar Dhawan out of the team due to his style of batting that can counter the threat of swing bowling.

Murali Vijay has established himself as India's No.1 opener in Test matches at present. He is a test match specialist and has been one of India's best batsmen outside the sub-continent.

He has scored 3907 runs in 97 innings at an average of 40.7. At England, he has scored 402 runs in 10 innings including a valuable 95 at Lord's in India's only victory of the Test series.

Middle-order: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane

Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane would be looking to

Cheteshwar Pujara is unarguably one of the best batsmen in Test match cricket at present. He has been a force to reckon with at sub-continent but he has never been able to replicate those performances outside it.

He has scored 4531 runs in 97 innings at an average of 50.34. At England, he has scored 222 runs in 10 innings. He was in woeful form while playing for Yorkshire in county cricket and hopefully he has learnt his mistakes and will rectify those.

Virat Kohli will go down as one of the greats of modern cricket. He scores runs with ease and it is virtually impossible to get him out. He has scored runs all over the world in Test matches but has struggled while playing at England.

At England, he has scored a paltry 134 runs in 10 innings. He has scored 5554 runs in 112 innings at an average of 53.4 in his entire. He will look to improve his stats in England and make sure that he has conquered every single place.

Ajinkya Rahane has been going through a rough patch of late. He has struggled for form and runs have been hard to come by for him. However, he will now play at England and he relishes any venue outside the sub-continent.

He scored a match-winning 100 at Lord's to help India to a win. He has scored 2893 runs in 76 innings at an average of 43.17. At England, he has scored 300 runs in 10 innings at an average of 33.22.

Wicketkeeper and All-rounder: Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has become one of India's most valued assets in cricket

Dinesh Karthik is definitely India's journeyman and made his India debut in 2004. He has only played 24 test matches since 14 years and only recently made a comeback to the team due to, Saha's injury.

He played in the historic test match against Afghanistan. He has scored 1004 runs in 38 innings at an average of 27.13. At England, he has scored 263 runs in 6 innings at an average of 43.83.

Hardik Pandya has become one of India's most valued assets in cricket. He provides all three facets of the game- explosive batsman, wicket-taking bowler and a superb fielder. He is a newcomer in the test arena and has only played seven test matches.

He has batted 10 times and scored 368 runs at an average of 36.8. He has also picked up seven wickets and will look to score runs and pick up crucial wickets.

Bowlers: Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma

Ravichandran Ashwin will need to play a key role for India with both the bat and ball

Ravichandran Ashwin will need to play a key role for India with both the bat and ball. He is going to play as the sole spinner and will have extra pressure on him to perform.

With Bhuvi most likely to miss the test match, Ashwin's responsibilities with the bat will increase as well.

He has scored 2163 runs in 81 innings and has picked up 316 wickets in 58 matches. At England, he has scored 106 runs in 4 innings and has picked up 3 wickets in 2 matches.

Umesh Yadav has been in great form but he will not be playing this match due to his skills, he will be playing it because of the injuries that Bhuvi and Bumrah have aggravated right now. He has picked up 103 wickets in 37 matches and has only one five-wicket haul to his name.

Mohammed Shami will be important to India's fortunes of winning this match and series. He has the ability to rattle batsmen out with his sheer pace and swing. He will be expected to lead the bowling attack along with Ishant in this match.

He has picked up 110 wickets in 30 matches and is a lethal bowler. At England, he has picked up five wickets in three matches.

Ishant Sharma is by far the most experienced bowler in India's test match squad. He is very good in the longest format of the game and even had a successful county stint with Sussex, recently at England.

He will need to put that experience to good use and lead the pack. He has picked up 238 wickets in 82 matches. At England, he has picked up 25 wickets in seven matches including a splendid seven-wicket haul at Lord's.