India will begin the five-match Test series against England at Leeds from June 20. India will be slightly short on experience given the retirement of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and the unavailability of Mohammed Shami. The first Test of the series is always important as it sets the tone for the rest of the series. For India, the biggest concern will be to find a perfect playing XI. India have two slots to fill in the batting department, while they'll also have to take a call on their preferred all-rounder between Nitish Reddy, Shardul Thakur, and Ravindra Jadeja. Apart from Bumrah, the bowling also is unsettled, and it'll be interesting to see what combination India start with.

Ahead of the first Test, former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer picked his probable India playing XI for the first wicket. Jaffer backed Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul to start the innings. He picked Sai Sudharsan or Abhimanyu Easwaran for the No.3 role. This will be a tough call for India as Easwaran has been with Team India for a long time, while Sudharsan was picked after a stellar form in the IPL. Jaffer backed Shubman Gill to bat at four, followed by Rishabh Pant at five and Karun Nair at six.

There was no place for Nitish Reddy in Jaffer's XI as he went for Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur as two all-rounders. There are concerns about Nitish Reddy's bowling fitness, which might have forced Jaffer to keep him out. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna were the three pacers in his team.

Wasim Jaffer's Probable XI For 1st Test: KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan/Abhimanyu Easwaran, Rishabh Pant, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Sports, Cricket and around the world.