Match Details:
The first Test of the four-match Test series between India and England will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, on 5th February, Friday.
This match will start at 9:30 AM IST and local time. It will be live on Star Sports Network and can be streamed on Disney+Hotstar in multiple languages.
Preview:
The Indians fans are still not over being ecstatic for the series win over Australia – and why should they be? It was, against all odds, a monumental achievement which will be told and retold for ages for comes. That being said, time does fly rapidly in the world of cricket.
It is now time to switch the Australian series from conscious to the subconscious and focus on the challenge that lies ahead – in the form of Three Lions. India will take on England for the first Test match in Chennai. With their old guns back in the fray and new guns firing, India will be the favourites. However, after their dominating display against Sri Lanka, even the most optimist Indian fan will also be wary of England. Overall, we have another months or so of exquisite Test cricketing action on our plate.
IND vs ENG Weather Report for 1st Test:
The weather will be ideal for cricket for all five days of the Test match. The temperature will hover between 23 to 29 °C, while rain is not expected on any day.
Pitch Report:
The pitch here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium will favour the batsmen, as the team batting first should ideally aim for at least 350. In the last 3 Test matches on this ground, 43 of the 59 wickets India picked were by spinners. Hence, spinners will definitely rule the roost here.
Average first innings score:
376 (Last 5 Test Matches on this venue)
Injury & Availability News:
For England: Opening batsman Zak Crawley suffered a freak wrist injury by slipping in the dressing room. He is ruled out for the first Test.
For India: In his press conference, Ajinkya Rahane has mentioned that Hardik Pandya is working very hard, but India won’t reveal the plans regarding him before the game.
IND vs ENG Today’s Probable Playing XIs:
India:
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli (C), Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel/Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma/Shardul Thakur/Mohammad Siraj.
Bench:
Wriddhiman Saha, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Mohammad Siraj/Shardul Thakur/Ishant Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav/Axar Patel.
England:
Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Daniel Lawrence, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Dom Bess, Jack Leach, Jofra Archer, James Anderson/Stuart Broad.
Bench:
Ben Foakes, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, James Anderson/Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Ollie Stone.
IND vs ENG Top picks for Today’s Dream11 Match:
While they managed to get the job done in his absence down under, Virat Kohli’s addition will be a big boost to India. In the only match he played in that series, the owner of 7300+ Test runs scored 78 runs.
Ravichandran Ashwin played well in that series, as the Indian all-rounder scored 78 runs and picked up 12 wickets.
Joe Root was in exemplary form in the series against Sri Lanka. The English skipper scored 426 runs at a phenomenal average of over 100.
Dom Bess had a great series with the ball against Sri Lanka, as he scalped 12 wickets. On an expectedly rank turner in Chennai, he will be the key bowler for England.
Though lionized for his prowess in the shorter formats, Ben Stokes is equally good a player in Test as well. He has scored over 4400 runs at an average of over 35, and has also picked up over 150 wickets.
Rishabh Pant was India’s highest run-scorer in the series against Australia. He scored 274 runs at a brilliant average of nearly 70.
With the ball, Jasprit Bumrah had a fantastic series. He picked up 11 wickets in only 3 Test matches, and will be the key bowler for India in the upcoming game.
Shubman Gill can be a great budget pick at only 8.5 Cr. He scored 259 runs in the Australian series, which included a couple of half-centuries.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:
Captain Options: Virat Kohli, Joe Root
Vice-Captain Options: Ravichandran Ashwin, Ben Stokes
Suggested Playing XI No. 1 for IND vs ENG Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Rishabh Pant, Jos Buttler
Batsmen – Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (C), Joe Root, Shubman Gill
All-Rounders – Ravichandran Ashwin, Ben Stokes (VC)
Bowlers – Dom Bess, Jofra Archer, Jasprit Bumrah
Suggested Playing XI No. 2 for IND vs ENG Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Rishabh Pant
Batsmen – Virat Kohli, Joe Root (C), Dom Sibley, Ajinkya Rahane
All-Rounders – Ravichandran Ashwin (VC), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali
Bowlers – James Anderson, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah
Expert Advice:
Provided he plays, Mohammed Siraj can be a terrific pick at only 8.5 Cr. Having scalped 13 wickets, he was India’s highest wicket-taker in the series against Australia.
IND vs ENG Probable Winners:
India are expected to win this match.
