Former Indian spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has shared some important tips ahead of the Test series between England and India starting at Edgbaston, Birmingham from Wednesday.

Kuldeep accordingly to many cricket experts including Sourav Ganguly and Michael Hussey should find a place ahead of R Ashwin in the playing XI for the first Test. His success in the limited overs series have understandably prompted former cricketers to go for him in place of Ashwin who doesn't have a good record in England. 

"He will do well if the conditions suit him. Kuldeep needs to bowl his normal stuff, not overexpose the googly as that is his wicket-taking delivery," Sivaramakrishnan told Sportstar on Monday.

The former Indian spinner believes that the team management will go for Kuldeep and Ashwin for the first Test. Also, hot and dry conditions in England is another reason why selectors might bend towards selecting  Kuldeep in the eleven. 

However, the pace department is an area of concern for India. With Bhuvi and Bumrah missing out from the first three Tests due to injury, the three other pacers Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav will have that extra pressure on them to take 20 wickets. 

But Sivaramakrishnan still believes that the three Indian pacers are well equipped of causing trouble to the England batsmen. "India will miss Bhuvneshwar. But we have Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav. So, more or less, we are well equipped."

The former India leggie said apart from the focus on taking 20 wickets, batting and slip catching need to click. "If they click, India will have a great chance."

The former Indian spinner also kept his views on several other aspects of the Test series including his views on Joe Root, Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant. 

For Sivaramakrishnan, Root is a key player. "England will rely heavily on him and Alastair Cook. Root ranks as one of the top players along with Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Steve Smith."

He expressed happiness with Dinesh Karthik's progress. "Karthik is a much more matured player now. He knows what he is doing and knows what is expected of him. I am sure he will do well."

"It will be a good experience for him and I am sure Ravi Shastri will give him very good inputs along with the team management. His batting is very attacking but he needs to change the approach while playing Test cricket. He needs to improve in his shot selection and develop patience in the longer format" he remarked on Pant. 

(Inputs  from Sportstar Live)