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The eagerly awaited five-match Test series between India and England is scheduled to kick off on Thursday (January 25) in Hyderabad.
Virat Kohli to miss the first two Tests against England
Team India’s star batter Virat Kohli has opted out of the first two Tests of the series, citing personal reasons.
Kohli’s decision to withdraw from the initial two games has indeed dealt a significant blow to the home team. The seasoned cricketer showcased excellent form in recent Test matches, playing a pivotal role in India’s drawn two-match Test series in South Africa earlier this year. Over the course of the two Tests, Kohli amassed a total of 172 runs in four innings, including a half-century.
Also READ: BCCI announces Virat Kohli’s replacement for the first two Tests against England
India’s best XI for the first two Tests against England:
Rohit Sharma: The dynamic opener and captain, Rohit Sharma, will spearhead the team, bringing his vast experience and aggressive batting style to the forefront.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: The young and promising left-handed batsman, Yashasvi Jaiswal, has earned his spot in the playing XI, showcasing his talent and potential in recent matches.
Shubman Gill: Known for his elegant stroke play and solid technique, Shubman Gill will play a crucial role in stabilizing the top order.
Shreyas Iyer: A dynamic middle-order batsman, Shreyas Iyer, adds depth to the batting lineup with his aggressive approach and ability to build partnerships.
KL Rahul: The versatile batsman, KL Rahul, is expected to contribute significantly to the team’s batting strength and provide stability in the middle order.
KS Bharat: Taking the wicketkeeping responsibilities, KS Bharat will bring his skills behind the stumps, adding a valuable dimension to the team’s balance.
Ravichandran Ashwin: The experienced off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, will play a pivotal role with both bat and ball, providing crucial breakthroughs and contributing with the bat down the order.
Ravindra Jadeja: A reliable all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, will bring his spin prowess and lower-order batting skills to the team, adding versatility to the playing XI.
Axar Patel: The left-arm spinner, Axar Patel, known for his accuracy and variations, will complement Ashwin and Jadeja, forming a formidable spin trio.
Jasprit Bumrah: Spearheading the pace attack, Jasprit Bumrah’s express pace and ability to generate movement will pose a significant challenge to the English batters.
Mohammed Siraj: With his consistent performances and ability to extract bounce and swing, Mohammed Siraj adds potency to the pace attack, completing the bowling lineup.
This carefully crafted playing XI reflects a strategic combination of experience and youth, aiming to counter England’s challenges in the upcoming Tests. As the series kicks off, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the on-field action, anticipating an enthralling battle between the bat and ball.
