Former India Head Coach Ravi Shastri has revealed his preferred playing XI for India’s upcoming first Test match against England at Headingley, starting June 20. The series marks new captain Shubman Gill’s first assignment following the Test retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, as India faces the world’s second-ranked team in challenging conditions during the new World Test Championship cycle.For the opening combination, Shastri advocates for Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul to take the crease. He emphasized Rahul’s experience and previous success in England as crucial factors. “It would be Jaiswal, and with him will be KL Rahul, because I think this is a big tour for him. He’s the most experienced of the batsmen,” Shastri stated. “He opened last time when India toured England, got a hundred, and had a good tour. So I would hope for him to open the innings.”Shastri recommended young Sai Sudarshan for the number three position, citing his impressive performances. “Three, I’ll go with the youngster, Sai Sudarshan. Whatever I’ve seen of him, he’s very impressive. This will be good exposure for him, this tour,” he explained.The newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill, who has played 32 matches in his red-ball international career, will bat at number four in Shastri’s lineup.
For the crucial middle-order positions, the former India coach backed Karun Nair at number five and Rishabh Pant at six. He particularly praised Nair’s recent performances and determination to return to the national team. “In all probability, depending on what current form is, it’ll be Karun Nair. He bats at five, it’s a long time since he played for India. Six will be Pant,” said the 63-year-old.He further elaborated on Nair’s selection, saying, “I think he has worked really hard. He’s just worked his way back into the side. The number of runs he’s got in first-last cricket is incredible. And I met him during an IPL game. I said, ‘don’t just bang the door. Just kick it down and make your way in and walk into that side’. And I think he’s done just that. Just the number of runs that he’s got has made the selectors look in that direction and give him a place.“
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For the bowling combination, Shastri opined that Ravindra Jadeja must come in at number seven as the primary spinner, followed by three fast bowlers and an all-rounder. The former coach faces a tough choice between two fast-bowling all-rounders – Shardul Thakur and Nitish Reddy – for one spot in the team. “I would go with three fast bowlers, plus Shardul Thakur. I know it’ll be a tough one between Shardul and Nitish Reddy, but you have to see who bowls how much. If Reddy is going to give you 12, 14 overs, then he might get the nod because of his batting,” Shastri explained.
For the pace attack, Shastri proposes Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah as certainties, with either Prasidh Krishna or Arshdeep Singh as the third option, depending on the conditions. “And the three fast bowlers would be, I would go with Prasid Krishna, I would go with Mohammed Siraj and of course Jasprit Bumrah. In Leeds, if it’s overcast and it’s cloudy, there might be the temptation of going with the left-armer Ashdeep Singh as well. So it will be Prasad, Prasid Krishna/Ashdeep but the other two will be Siraj and Bumrah,” he concluded.
Ravi Shastri’s India XI for the first Test
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudarshan
- Shubman Gill
- Karun Nair
- Rishabh Pant
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Shardul Thakur or Nitish Reddy
- Mohammed Siraj
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Prasidh Krishna or Arshdeep Singh
