Probable playing XI for India in England in the 1st Test

The India cricket team is scheduled to tour England between July and September 2018 to play five Test, three One Day International (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) match.

The last time India toured England was in 2014. As far as the test matches are concerned that tour was one of those tours which India would like to forget. After being 1-0 up in the test series after defeating England at Lord's, the India team lost the momentum and as a result, they were defeated in the next three matches. They lost that series by 3-1. So this time when the Indian team would like to take the revenge on the previous tour and show the world why they are the number one ranked team in the world.

The slides describe the most probable playing XI for India in England as far as test matches are concerned. India is touring England for the first time since the disastrous tour of England in 2014. After the historic win at Lord's, India lost its way and lost the series 3-1 after being 1-0 after the Lord's test.

#1 MURALI VIJAY

CRICKET-RSA-IND-TEST-TRAINING

Murali Vijay did not have a great South African Tour but he has compensated it with scoring a hundred against Afghanistan in the recently concluded test match which India won in two days. He is going to play a key role in England because of his solid defense and technique.

India in England 2014: MAT:5 INN:10 RUNS:402 AVG:40.20 HIGHEST:146

#2: SHIKHAR DHAWAN:

CRICKET-IND-BAN

This swashbuckling opener proved his mettle by becoming the first Indian to score a hundred before lunch on the first day of a test match. He will have a key role to play because of his aggressive approach to batting which is going to be very important especially in tough conditions in England. His counterattack batting can really put the English bowlers under pressure.

India in England 2014: MAT:3 INN:6 RUNS:122 AVG:20.33 HIGHEST:37

#3: CHETESHWAR PUJARA

Yorkshire v Nottinghamshire - Specsavers County Championship: Division One

He had big shoes to fill when he first made his debut for India in 2010. He had to act as an anchor for India as was done by Rahul Dravid and he has adopted that role and performed that role to perfection. He has been the mainstay of India's batting in the recent past and India will rely heavily on him to score big in England.

India in England 2014: MAT:5 INN:10 RUNS:222 AVG:22.20 HIGHEST:55

#4: VIRAT KOHLI

CRICKET-IND-FASHION

No need to introduce this man and what he has done in the past for India in all the three formats of the game. He had the much-needed break after the IPL when he was rested for the match against Afghanistan. Though he had a poor season when India last toured England in 2014, he would like to forget that and start afresh. His aggressive captaincy will also have a big role to play for India.

India in England 2014: MAT:5 INN:10 RUNS:134 AVG:13.40 HIGHEST:39

#5: AJINKYA RAHANE

Rajasthan Royals Practice session in Jaipur

Rahane has been the player to whom India has always looked up to when the team has been in a difficult position and he has delivered on all occasions making him one of the most valuable players for India. His solid technique and his ability to counter-attack when needed makes him a very important player for India in England. Though he has not been in great form lately, we all know his potential and his abilities to come out good in tough situations.

India in England 2014: MAT:5 INN:10 RUNS:299 AVG:33.22 HIGHEST:103

#6: WRIDDHIMAN SAHA

Rajasthan Royals v Sunrisers Hyderabad - IPL T20

Dhoni's retirement from Test cricket after the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne in 2014 opened the doors for Saha, who had long been an understudy, to firm up his position in the team. Saha has been good form in the past though he missed the test against Afghanistan because of his injury. His ability to bat with tail-enders has been his strength and he has shown that he can be a healthy contributor lower down the order. His keeping skills have also been quite good and this would help him in England where the ball will come at a good pace and height to the wicketkeeper.

#7: HARDIK PANDYA

IPL 2018

India has been looking for a fast bowling all-rounder after Kapil Dev and it feels that Hardik Pandya has been able to stake a claim for that position with his recent performances. His aggressive batting has always been his strength and he has shown it now and then with his performances. He can contribute with his bowling also. This tour will be his first and he will like to make the most of this opportunity and permanently fix his position in the Indian team.

#8: RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN

2nd Sunfoil Test: South Africa v India, Day 4

Ashiwn has been the mainstay of India's bowling in the recent past. In the recent home season, he was exceptional, breaking all records. Though his form outside is not very appealing still he has the ability to turn the game on its head with his bowling. He can be very effective on any kind pitch as he has the required skills that can torment any batting side.

India in England 2014: MAT:2 INN:4 RUNS:106 AVG:35.33 HIGHEST:46 WKTS:3 BEST:3/72

#9: BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR

CRICKET-RSA-IND-T20

Bhuvneshwar was one of the lone bright spots in an otherwise wretched tour of England, taking 19 wickets at 26.63, an Indian record for most wickets against England in a Test series. He has been the best fast bowlers for India in the recent times. He has worked really hard on increasing his pace and this has really helped him in his bowling which is reflected by his recent performances.

India in England 2014: MAT:5 INN:10 RUNS:247 AVG:27.44 HIGHEST:63 WKTS:19 BEST:6/82

#10: JASPRIT BUMRAH

CRICKET-RSA-IND

Jasprit Bumrah grabbed eyeballs first with his unorthodox action, and then his bowling skills. Armed with an anomalous, sling-arm action and natural pace, the peculiar release point of Bumrah's deliveries makes it hard for batsmen to pick him. He has been a find for the Indian team. His has continued his great form in the longer format of the game and has now become the spearhead of the Indian bowling.

#11: UMESH YADAV

CRICKET-RSA-IND-TEST-TRAINING

As a fast bowler, he has many skills: he regularly bowls at over 140kph, moves the ball both ways, and has a pretty effective bouncer. More than his figures though, it was his speed and aggression that has always stood out. 2018 is likely to be a make-or-break year for Umesh Yadav; a year that can propel him to immortality in Indian cricket's hall of fame.