ENG vs IND: KL Rahul, Hanuma Vihari Emerge Options To Open For India In 1st Test

Injury-stricken India, yet to get their reinforcements, will take on England in the first Test from Wednesday with hopes of ending a streak of series losses which extend to 2011. Even as they have con

Rahul has opened in the past and scored a century in the fifth and final Test at the Oval while opening the innings. He is a prime candidate although there have been talks about him being more suitable for the middle-order.

Vihari is the other batsman who can be used to see off the new ball. He has done the opening duties in Australia during the 2018-19 series but opening in England is very different from opening in Australia.

The Dukes ball moves a lot and although Vihari has the experience of county games with Warwickshire this season, his returns weren't encouraging. Also he didn't open the batting for Warwickshire.

India could also draft in Shardul Thakur to add some balance as they lack a pace bowling all-rounder. It will be important to see how the pitch behaves. Trent Bridge is the only venue where India have remained unbeaten over the last two tours -- in 2014 and 2018. They drew the series opener here in 2014 and won the third Test in 2018.

Skipper Virat Kohli has said that the playing XI will be announced only on Wednesday ahead of the toss. It makes sense because the true nature of the pitch will be evident only before the toss.