Eng vs Ind 1st Test: 4 expected changes for India from the last playing XI vs Afghanistan

#1. Rishabh Pant in for Dinesh Karthik

England Lions v India A - scored

fifties

in both innings

Selection of Rishabh Pant into the playing XI will be a strategic decision made considering the future prospects.

Though some may consider it as a bizarre decision to bench an experienced player like Dinesh Karthik, Pant's inclusion in the India A's tour to England has provided him enough match practice in English conditions. Dinesh Karthik lacks in this aspect since he got to play only 1 game (3rd ODI) in the limited overs format.

In an unofficial test against England Lions, Pant scored twin fifties on a pitch which offered lateral seam-moment. The performance came when senior players like Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane struggled against a decent bowling line-up.

Pant has the knack of scoring runs at a greater pace in any format. With his hard-hitting ability, he can be the X-factor which team India requires for the England Tour in the batting line-up.