The BCCI announced the India squad for the five-match Test series against England. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's names were missing from the squad as the veterans announced retirements from the format. The BCCI picked Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair in the squad as replacements.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Nitish Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav expectedly held onto their places, however, Sarfaraz Khan was left out of the squad. Mohammed Shami was a notable absentee due to fitness concerns, while Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Jasprit Bumrah were the specialist pacers. Shardul Thakur was also added to the team as a backup to Nitish Reddy.

India's Likely Squad For 1st Test vs England

With Rohit Sharma retired, Yashasvi Jaiswal will get a new partner at the top, and KL Rahul is the front-runner to take the spot. Rahul has prior experience of opening the batting for England and did reasonably well on the last tour. Sai Sudharsan should bat at three, with captain Shubman Gill taking the fourth spot. Rishabh Pant will be the wicketkeeper-batter and will play at five. Pant was also named the vice-captain of the side. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja should be the two all-rounders in the playing XI, while Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh should be the pacers.

India will be tempted to play Kuldeep Yadav, but they will be wary of the fact that the team lacks batting depth. Shardul Thakur could be slotted in the playing XI, with Jadeja as the lone spinner. However, if the conditions are flat, India could play Kuldeep ahead of Thakur; however, for the first Test, they are most likely to go in Thakur and Reddy as all-rounders, with Kuldeep warming the bench.

India's Likely XI For 1st Test: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh