India vs England: India's possible playing XI to face England

Middle order batsmen

India’s best Test batsman in 2016, Ajinkya Rahane

Before the series against New Zealand, the place of Cheteshwar Pujara in the Indian Test XI was under scrutiny. But, Pujara continued his stunning form from the Duleep trophy to the international stage as he scored tons of runs against the Kiwis and ended the series as the leading run scorer. His heroics in the series might just have sealed his place in the Test XI for the upcoming Test series against England and Australia.

Apart from Pujara, skipper Virat Kohli, his deputy Ajinkya Rahane and wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha are certainties in India’s middle order, unless they are ruled out of the series due to an injury. Now that Rohit Sharma is ruled out due to an injury, it will be interesting to see what the team management does to the number 6 slot.

If the team management decides to go in with 7 batsmen and 4 front-line bowlers, then Karun Nair will make his Test debut. If they opt for an extra bowling option, Hardik Pandya might get the nod ahead of Karun to make his Test debut. If Pandya is picked, Ashwin is likely to bat at no. 6 followed by Saha and Pandya.

The inclusion of Pandya in the squad allows Kohli to go in with an extra bowler, who can bowl few overs when needed.