India's predicted starting XI against England in first test match

Bowlers: Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma

Ravichandran Ashwin will need to play a key role for India with both the bat and ball

Ravichandran Ashwin will need to play a key role for India with both the bat and ball. He is going to play as the sole spinner and will have extra pressure on him to perform.

With Bhuvi most likely to miss the test match, Ashwin's responsibilities with the bat will increase as well.

He has scored 2163 runs in 81 innings and has picked up 316 wickets in 58 matches. At England, he has scored 106 runs in 4 innings and has picked up 3 wickets in 2 matches.

Umesh Yadav has been in great form but he will not be playing this match due to his skills, he will be playing it because of the injuries that Bhuvi and Bumrah have aggravated right now. He has picked up 103 wickets in 37 matches and has only one five-wicket haul to his name.

Mohammed Shami will be important to India's fortunes of winning this match and series. He has the ability to rattle batsmen out with his sheer pace and swing. He will be expected to lead the bowling attack along with Ishant in this match.

He has picked up 110 wickets in 30 matches and is a lethal bowler. At England, he has picked up five wickets in three matches.

Ishant Sharma is by far the most experienced bowler in India's test match squad. He is very good in the longest format of the game and even had a successful county stint with Sussex, recently at England.

He will need to put that experience to good use and lead the pack. He has picked up 238 wickets in 82 matches. At England, he has picked up 25 wickets in seven matches including a splendid seven-wicket haul at Lord's.