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Xtra Time Web Desk: India will test its bench strength as they take on a full strength England squad in the five match T20I series starting on Friday at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The series would be of utmost importance to both sides, keeping an eye on the upcoming ICC World T20, set to be held in India later this year. Also, England would eye the Test payback in this format, besides justifying its top ranking in the format currently.
For the hosts all eyes will be on its bench strength as there have been quite a few new additions to the T20 squad, with the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan. Starting with the opening slot, focus will be on Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul as either of them will be partnering Rohit Sharma at the top. The selectors and team management will be looking at quite a few options in the middle order. With India captain Virat Kohli batting at No 4, it looks like KL Rahul will go in at No 3. At least three batsmen are vying for the No 5 spot with Rishabh Pant being the frontrunner following his recent form in test series. Both Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav might have to wait for their turn in the remaining matches of the series.

All rounder Hardik Pandya is all set to bat at No 6. The hard hitting all rounder was in red hot form in the white ball series in Australia. He has also started bowling at the nets which will come as a huge relief for the team management. The No 6 and 7 spots is likely to be taken by Washington Sundar and Axar Patel. Both have been a revelation in the recently concluded test series against England. Sundar also showed his batting prowess in the series.

With both Shami and Bumrah not in the squad, Shardul Thakur and Bhuvneshwar Kumar might get the nod for the first T20I. Deepak Chahar too looks in contention for a place in the playing XI along with wrist spinner Yuzuvendra Chahal. It will depend on the combination the team management decides to go with. Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return will definitely reinforce the side, along with Navdeep Saini and Shardul Thakur.

Meanwhile, England, too has moved in with a heavy batting side, with as many as 11. Skipper Eoin Morgan would play a huge role, while opener Jason Roy has a task at hand to prove his worth yet again. Ben Stokes, along with Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler, would look get their Test rustiness aside and plat fresh in this format. There are nine of the bowlers, as Jofra Archer and Mark Wood will have to deliver with their pace. As for the spinners, both Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid will have a huge role to play.