England vs India 2018: India's predicted playing XI for the first test against England

#1 Openers

Murali Vijay and KL Rahul

Murali Vijay and KL Rahul are probably India's best opening option for the test series against England.

Ever since India's famed opening duo of Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag fell out of favour in 2013, Murali Vijay has gone on to establish himself as India's premier opener in test cricket.

Murali Vijay has also been one of India's best batsmen in test cricket outside the sub-continent, having scored a load of runs in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and England, and hence is expected to be India's first choice opener for the first test against the Englishmen at Edgbaston.

Despite having a good one-day series with the bat, Shikhar Dhawan might not find himself as an opener in the playing XI for the first test, as Karnataka batsman, KL Rahul is technically much more suited to play the moving red ball in English conditions compared to Dhawan.

Also, KL Rahul has been in the form of his life since the beginning of IPL 2018, and it is very important that the Indian team management gives the gifted KL Rahul a long run in all the formats of the game.