Former India opening batsman Wasim Jaffer on Sunday picked hosts’ playing eleven for the first Test against England, to be played in Chennai from February 5.
Jaffer picked Rohit Sharma and youngster Shubman Gill as the opening pair against England. Cheteshwar Pujara, skipper Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant are named in the middle-order while Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin are the two spinners included in the side.
The former batter included Axar because the English batter struggles against the left-arm spinner. India’s pace attack will be headed by Jasprit Bumrah while between Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Siraj, the best should be picked depending upon the pitch, according to Jaffer. The same goes with spinner Kuldeep Sharma and Shardul Thakur.
“India’s Playing XI for 1st Test (IMO): 1 Rohit 2 Gill 3 Pujara 4 Kohli 5 Rahane 6 Pant 7 Axar* 8 Ashwin 9 Kuldeep/Thakur 10 Ishant/Siraj 11 Bumrah. Question is about 2 spots depending on combination + pitch….