IND vs ENG: Gautam Gambhir picks Indian XI for 1st Test

Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has picked his India playing XI for the first IND vs ENG Test match. Gambhir has picked 5 bowlers and 6 batsmen in the team and interestingly has left out Washington Sundar who was one of the key contributors to India’s win at Gabba in the last month.

Gambhir picks 3 spinners and 2 pacers for Chennai Test

The first India vs England Test will be played at Chennai from 5 February. Gambhir picked his India playing XI for the Test while speaking in a sports show.

He said that he will go with five bowlers, a hundred percent. He explained that he has always been a firm believer that India has to go in with five bowlers in any condition. So, he feels probably Axar bats at No.7, it is a direct swap between Jadeja and Axar, Ashwin at No.8.

The former left-hand batsman feels that R Ashwin will be really confident after what he did at the SCG and Axar can contribute with the bat. So, he feels India needs about 350-odd runs and they have got the bowling attack to get England out.

Also read: IND vs ENG: Gautam Gambhir predicts result of the Test series

Gambhir also explained who he would manage Bumrah’s workload considering he is recovering from an injury. Gambhir said that he would start with Jasprit Bumrah for the first Test match and will give the pacer a break for the second and then play him in the pink-ball Test match.

Gambhir picks Gill ahead of Agarwal

Gambhir picked Gill as the second opener instead of Agarwal. The former India opener explained that 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. Gambhir noted that Mayank made tons and tons of runs when he got a chance to play international cricket and did well in India also. But, he pointed out that, when Mayank went to Australia, he did not start well. Shubman Gill played with him and he did well. So according to Gambhir, Mayank will have to wait for his turn. And Gambhir is sure the team management will not overlook him that quickly. They will keep him with the squad

Also read: ING vs ENG: No M Siraj in Aakash Chopra’s India XI for 1st Test

Gambhir’s India playing XI:

Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj.

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