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Xtra Time Web Desk: Virat Kohli and his boys are all geared up to take on Joe Root’s England in the first test match of the five match series which gets underway at Trent Bridge from Wednesday, August 4. The Indian team will look to set the records straight in England having lost their previous three test series. Barring the exception of opener Mayank Agarwal, who was ruled out of the first test match after being hit on his head from a bouncer by Mohammed Siraj during the practice session on Monday, everyone is available for selection. Indian captain Virat Kohli and vice captain Ajinkya Rahane, both have fully recovered from the slight niggles which kept them away during the three day practice game against County XI. However Mayank’s injury may force the team management to look at KL Rahul as an opening option along with Rohit Sharma. Captain Kohli and Head Coach Ravi Shastri will have a deep look at the playing combination after assessing the conditions.

Here’s our predicted XI of Team India for the first Test against England:

1.KL Rahul: The unavailability of Gill and now Mayank will see KL Rahul opening the batting for India with Rohit Sharma. Although Rahul was picked as a middle order batsman in the squad, the injury to Mayank Agarwal will see him partnering Rohit at the top. The big positive going in favour of Rahul is the last time he played a Test in England, he scored a hundred. He is also the batsman in form scoring a ton in the practice game against County XI.

2. Rohit Sharma: The tour of England will be a huge challenge for Rohit Sharma as he will playing as an opener in England in the longer format for the first time. He didn’t do well in the practice game against a County Select XI but as he gears up for the first test.

3. Cheteshwar Pujara: He is likely to be given another chance after the failure in WTC final. The right-hand batsman has gone through some intense training sessions under the watchful eyes of coach Shastri in the last few days. It’s time to repeat the performance in Australia.

4. Virat Kohli: The Indian captain, who was in top form in the previous England tour, will look to repeat his performance with the bat. Kohli would look to break the jinx of not winning a test series after 2007. The world’s best batsman would also like to score big hundreds in the series. His last test century was against Bangladesh during the Pink Ball test at Eden Gardens.

5. Ajinkya Rahane: The vice-captain of the team is fit and ready to go. He has given a confirmation on his fitness already and will lead the middle order batting along with Kohli.

6. Rishabh Pant: The India wicketkeeper-batsman would be back to the ground where he scored his maiden test hundred. He has been in a great touch lately and even the hosts are aware of how dangerous this youngster could be. He has recently defeated Covid and now it’s time to challenge England on their home turf.

7. Ravichandran Ashwin: While others took a break from cricket after the WTC final, Ashwin took out time to play a County Championship game for Surrey and picked up 7 wickets in the match. His form will be very important for the visitors in the series.

8. Ravindra Jadeja: The all-rounder did well in the practice game against County XI and scored fifties in both innings. Jadeja is currently in a red-hot across formats and that what makes him a dangerous player for India. The team management will be in a dilemma to play him or Shardul Thakur looking at the conditions.

9. Ishant Sharma: He is likely to be preferred over Mohammed Siraj, given his experience. Since it’s likely to be a green top at Trent Bridge, the team would need their best paceman at work. But Siraj happens to be the in form bowler on tour. It will be a tricky selection.

10. Mohammed Shami: The Indian pace attack is incomplete without Shami, especially in a Test in England. He was terrific with the ball in the WTC final. Kohli will be relying on his premier fast bowler to give India the crucial breakthroughs on helpful English conditions.

11. Jasprit Bumrah: After a forgettable WTC final, in which he remained wicketless, Bumrah performed well in the practice game. He looked in rhythm and managed to create pressure on the batters. If he manages to continue the momentum in the first game, he only gets better in the series later while his association with Shami and Ishant could wreak havoc at Trent Bridge.

India Predicted XI: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah