India vs England: Axar out; Shahbaz picked in XI ahead of Kuldeep for 1st Test

Axar out India’s left-arm spinner Axar Patel was ruled out of first Test against England on Friday with a knee injury. Shahbaz Nadeem and Rahul Chahar were added to the squad.

Shahbaz ahead of Kuldeep Virat Kohli and Co have picked left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem ahead of Kuldeep, who once again finds himself on the bench.

ENG win toss England skipper Joe Root, who is playing his 100th Test, won the toss and opted to bat in the opening Test vs IND in Chennai.

Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have been retained to open the innings by India.

The tough middle order Pujara, Kohli and Rahane will continue to bat at No. 3, 4, and 5 in the Indian batting order. In the recently concluded Australia tour, Kohli had played only the first Test, while Pujara and Rahane were the only two India players who had played all four Tests.

Pant continues with gloves India have decided to continue with Pant as their wicketkeeper-batsman ahead of Wriddhiman Saha.

Three spinners India have gone with Ashwin, Washington Sundar and Nadeem for the first Test. Sundar and Ashwin can contribute with the bat as well.

Fast bowlers Ishant returns, while Bumrah is all set to play his first home Test after featuring in 17 away Tests for India.

WTC final England need to win at least three Tests in the four-match series against India to play New Zealand in the final of World Test Championship (WTC) in June at the Lord’s Cricket Ground.