Former India opener Gautam Gambhir has unveiled his playing XI for the Indian team ahead of the first Test against England in Chennai, which begins on February 5. The match will be played behind closed doors due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Notably, Gambhir has picked 5 bowlers and 6 batsmen in the team. The former Indian opener said that India should definitely go in with a five-pronged bowling attack. He went with Akshar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin, who could bat at 7 and 8 as well.
However, Gambhir left out Washington Sundar, Hardik Pandya, and Mayank Agarwal from his chosen playing XI.
“Five bowlers, hundred percent. I have always been a firm believer that India has to go in with five bowlers in any condition. So, probably Axar bats at No.7, it is a direct swap between Jadeja and Axar, Ashwin at No.8. Ashwin will be really confident after what he did at the SCG, Axar can contribute with the bat. So, India needs about 350-odd runs and they have got the bowling attack to get England out,” Gautam Gambhir said on Star Sports show Game Plan.
IND v ENG 2021: COC Predicted Team India Playing XI for first Test in Chennai
He also reasoned for leaving out Mayank Agarwal, who had done extremely well at home in 2019, including scoring a brilliant double-ton against Bangladesh in Kolkata.
“This is what sport is and this is what life is. If you don’t start well and give an opportunity to someone else and that person performs so well, then you will have to wait for your turn. No doubt, Mayank made tons and tons of runs when he got a chance to play international cricket and did well in India also.
But when he went to Australia, he did not start well. Shubman Gill played with him and he did well. So, now you will have to wait for your turn. And I am sure the team management will not overlook him that quickly. They will keep him with the squad,” Gambhir said.
Furthermore, Gambhir said that Bumrah must be rested before the day-night Test in Ahmedabad but went with him for the first Test match and opined that Mohammed Siraj must play ahead of Ishant Sharma as well.
Gambhir’s India playing XI for the 1st Test vs England:
Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj.
