New Delhi:
The Indian team for the first two Test of the upcoming five match Test series against England was picked up by the national selectors on Wednesday.
With the stupendous performance in the Test series against the Kiwis, the world number one side is brimming with confidence to take on English side. The Indian selectors have pretty much stuck to the winning combination against the England.
The squad has pretty much the same face as what featured against the Kiwis in the three match Test series. Veteran seamer Ishant Sharma has made a comeback after being sidelined with injury and ruled out the New Zealand tour. Meanwhile veteran opener Gautam Gambhir retained his spot in the Test team.
Karnataka batsman Karun Nair, all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Jayant Yadav have been handed call ups to the Test squad. KL Rahul nursing an injury hasnt been picked up for the first two matches, maybe included in the side for the remaining games.
India would also like to settle scores with England who drubbed them 3-1 in their backyard. The 2014 Ind-Eng series was a infliction point as it resulted in a mass exodus of many senior Indian players.
So let us have a close look at the cricketers who have made the cut into the Test squad against England.
India vs England 2016: How do Kohli's men stack up against visitors
Indian Test squad (First two tests)
Gautam Gambhir, Murali Vijay, Karun Nair, Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), Ravichdran Ashwin, Hardik Pandya, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jayant Yadav
Batting:
In the absence of seasoned opener Shikar Dhwan, Murali Vijay is likely to open the innings for India with Gautam Gambhir.
The middle order would once again be led by Virat Kohli who has become the lynchpin of the Indian batting order. Kohli would like to improve his dismal record against the English as he had a torrid time with the bat in the 2014 Test series.
Pujara who looked in good touch against the Kiwis would once again look to hold the fort with his solid technique and sound defence. Meanwhile Ajinkya Rahane would add that bit of calming influence and depth to the middle order.
Bengal wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha shall add impetus to the lower middle order and keep wickets for the side.
Bowling:
Pace:
The attack would be bolstered by the return of veteran seamer Ishant Sharma who would like to bounce over the English batsman. Meanwhile Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami have rightfully retain their places and would once again be raring to go against the English.
Shami and Yadav were consistently among the wickets all through the Kiwi series. Bhuvneshwar Kumar dealing with a back strain wasn't considered for selection. India have bolstered their pace attack with the inclusion of promising allrounder Hardik Pandya.
Spin:
Ravichandran Ashwin has been India's bowling trump card on sub-continent wickets. Ashwin has cast a web around most of the visiting sides with his subtle variations.
He has been simply phenomenal and run though batting of visitors. He boasts of a spectacular record at home which is testimony to how lethal he has been. Ashwin has a good partner in leggie Amit Mishra. Mishra adds variety to the attack with by bowling his leggies with subtle variation. Meanwhile Ravinder Jadeja is likely to compliment the spin attack with his left arm arm.
