IND vs ENG, 1st Test | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

Rohit Sharma & Ben Stokes (X.com)

Test cricket in India is back and it is a blockbuster five-match series between two heavyweights, India and England. The first Test is set to start on 25th of January at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad and we can expect some cracking cricket with plenty of world-class performers in both the sides.

IND vs ENG: Team Previews

India 

India have been a dominant force at home and last lost the Test series at their own backyard in 2012. Coincidentally, that loss was against England and India would be hoping that history does not repeat itself in 2024. 

India outclassed England in the last Test series at home by 3-1 margin and are once again favourites with quality spin arsenal at their disposal. Virat Kohli has pulled out of the first two Tests, and KL Rahul is all set to bat at number 4 in his absence. 

On the batting front, all eyes would be on duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, and India would like the young duo of kick-on and get some big scores in this series. Srikar Bharat would be donning the specialist keeper role and he too would be looking to deliver his first big performance at the international level.

However, the main focus and onus will be on the spin department and Ravi Ashwin along with  Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are likely to make most impact. All the three can contribute with the bat too and they will have to do the bulk of bowling with conditions expected to assist spinners. 

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Overall, India are a team that has all bases covered in their home conditions and the only worry would be the middle order in the absence of Virat Kohli.

England

The visitors England, on the other hand, would be silently confident of their chances with their latest 'Bazball' antics catching the imagination of the cricketing world. They will be without Harry Brook and a lot will depend on how their seniors, Joe Root and Ben Stokes bat in this series.

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Ben Duckett too is a quality player of spin and it would be interesting how they implement their aggressive batting tactics in Indian conditions. 

England also have variety in their spin department but young Somerset spinner Shoaib Bashir has been ruled out of of the first Test due to visa issues. England though have made a bold call and have left out James Anderson as Tom Hartley has been included as the third spinner alongside Jack Leach and Rehan Ahmed. England look ready for the spin battle and if their batters bat well, we might have an interesting contest.

IND vs ENG, 1st Test: Match Details & Live Streaming

IND vs ENG, 1st Test: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Pitch Report

The pitch is expected to be dry and conducive for spin-bowling. The batters will have to apply themselves and it would get difficult to bat on as the game progresses. The spinners are likely to do the bulk of the bowling on this pitch but if pacers can bowl stump-to-stump line, they can also make an impact. Batters have scored big runs on this ground in the past, but things are not going to be easy this time around with spinners dominating the proceedings.

IND vs ENG, 1st Test: Probable Playing XIs

England have announced their playing XI.

India: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, KS Bharat, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

England: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, Mark Wood, Tom Hartley.

IND vs ENG, 1st Test: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

IND vs ENG, 1st Test: Winner Prediction

India have a quality spin attack compared to England and their batters are also better equipped to handle a turning track. So, expect India to go 1-0 up, but we might see flashes of brilliance from England too.

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