India vs England, 1st Test – Fantasy Cricket XI Tips, Prediction & Probable XI

India will be playing England in the four-match test series starting from 5th February. The match will be played in MA Chidambaram Stadium(Chepauk), Chennai. 

India vs England, 1st Test: Match Details

• Date – 5th February 2021
• Time – 9:30 AM IST
• Venue – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

India vs England Match Preview:

The Indian batting line up will be boosted by the presence of captain Virat Kohli. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are looking certain as the opening pair after a successful series against Australia. The management will be hovering over the decision to play Rishabh Pant as a batsman or wicketkeeper. 

Jasprit Bumrah looks a sure starter in the bowling line up however a decision is to be made whether to play experience Ishant Sharma or an in-form Mohammad Siraj. Axar Patel might make his debut ahead of Washington Sundar due to his left-arm spin. Ravichandran Ashwin will be the key player for India in this series. 

England will be banking on Joe Root, Jos Buttler, and Ben Stokes on the batting front. The trio is one of the most experienced and effective players of the spin. Root will be the key player for England in this series. 

The bowling looks settled with quality fast bowlers. Only one of the two - James Anderson and Stuart Broad will get into the playing XI. Jofra Archer will be the second pacer. Moeen Ali might get a go-ahead due to his accurate spin bowling. Dominic Bess had a decent series in Sri Lanka and will take the confidence to this series. 

India will start as favorites in their home conditions for this series. However, England will pose a threat with their one eye on the World Championship Finals. 

India vs England Head to Head:

• Total – 122
• India – 26
• England – 47
• Draw - 49

India vs England Team News: 

England added Ollie Pope as a late entry in the squad for the first test. 

India vs England Pitch Report:

The pitch at Chennai will be favorable for the spinners throughout the five days. Both teams are likely to play three spinners on this track. 

India vs England Probable Playing XI:

India - Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar/Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma/Mohammad Siraj 

England - Joe Root(c), Dominic Sibley, Ollie Pope/Rory Burns, Daniel Lawrence/Zak Crawley, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Jack Leach, Jofra Archer, Dominic Bess, James Anderson/ Stuart Broad 

India vs England Fantasy Cricket XI:

• Wicket-keeper - Rishabh Pant
• Batsmen - Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Joe Root
• All-rounders - Ravichandran Ashwin, Ben Stokes
• Bowlers - Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Jofra Archer, James Anderson