1st Test: India vs England - Probable playing XI for India 

PACERS

#10 Mohammad Shami

Amidst all kinds of personal issues, Mohammad Shami has made it to the Test squad and would be looking to make a solid return to the National side, having missed out on International Cricket for a considerable period.

Shami has always been a very useful swing bowler for India who has taken wickets at crucial times. The very fact that he hasn't been one of the intimidating bowlers in Test cricket might work well for him, as England might take him slightly easier than they should.

He may just have 3 five-wicket hauls in Tests, but with the daunting way he bowled in South Africa earlier this year, in pace-friendly conditions, Shami can certainly prove to be dangerous and lethal with the new ball as well as the old ball, courtesy his ability to reverse swing the ball.

#11 Ishant Sharma

Virat Kohli might want to go with the experience of Ishant Sharma, who has played in England before and would be familiar with the conditions. He had also scalped 7 wickets for 74, his career-best figures in India's historic win at Lords.

Given the added advantage that he has been playing County Cricket for the last 2-3 months and has done exceedingly well in the same, swinging the ball both sides and picking lots of wickets, he is almost certain to be picked.

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