Mohammad Siraj will play in the first test; one of R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jedeja, will be suspended
In the first test, the Indian bowling unit will undergo a number of changes, including the inclusion of both Mohammad Siraj and Shardul Thakur.
The India vs England Test series is set to begin on Wednesday but there are a few selection issues that the team management has to sort out. Mayank Agarwal’s injury is likely to see KL Rahul being drafted as an opener. While the middle-order is unlikely to witness a change from the World Test Championship final, the bowling unit is where most alterations are likely to be made.
India skipper Virat Kohli had hinted at putting the players with the right mentality into the team. Even vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane hinted at some new combinations being used in the press conference ahead of the series opener.
“Pujara has done really well at No. 3 and will continue to do so. The team management is looking into different combinations and you will know it very soon,” Rahane had said after a net session on Monday.
As per a report in the Times of India, Mohammed Siraj is likely to be drafted into the team. Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami were used in the Test Championship final against New Zealand. Siraj could be used in the team either as a replacement for one of these players or as a fourth seamer in place of one of the spinners.
As per the TOI report, Shardul Thakur could also be drafted into the team as a pace-bowling all-rounder since Hardik Pandya isn’t in the scheme of things at present. If Shardul is included, Ravindra Jadeja is likely to be dropped to the bench, with R Ashwin being the sole spinner.
When India last played at Trent Bridge, it was Hardik Pandya who returned with a fifer and the nature of the pitch has bowling coach Bharat Arun contemplating the decision to field 4 pacers. What remains to be seen, however, is how Siraj is used in the team.
Siraj could either replace the veteran Ishant Sharma in the team, though the chances of that happening are few. He could also come in as a replacement for Jadeja.
