ENG vs IND 2021: 1st Test – Toss Report And Playing XI Details

The much-anticipated high-octane five-match Test series between India and England starts today (July 4) at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. This series marks the beginning of the second cycle of the ICC World Test Championship.

Toss Report: England have won the toss and elected to bat first on a green wicket.

India vs England: Playing XI

India:  Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

Huddle ✔#TeamIndia #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/zMPovALGaL

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 4, 2021

England: Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Zak Crawley, Joe Root(c), Jonny Bairstow, Daniel Lawrence, Jos Buttler(w), Sam Curran, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

Here is what the captains said at the toss:

Joe Root: We’re going to bat first. It looks like a reasonable wicket, with a little bit of movement. If we get off to a good start in the first hour, we could capitalize. Always exciting to play a big series like this. And hopefully, we could perform really well. Jonny Bairstow comes back, Sam Curran comes in as well. It has been so long since we last played.

Jack Leach unfortunately misses out; a very tough decision. As you progress as a Test player, there comes the responsibility and there is an opportunity for the guys to take what Ben Stokes has left in his absence.

Virat Kohli: Last time England chose to bowl first here, and we would have wanted to bat first as well. We would look to get in with the ball in the first session, and a few early breakthroughs will be handy. There is a bit of a change-up top, KL Rahul comes in. Our bowling combination is Bumrah, Shami, Thakur, Siraj, and Jadeja as the spinner.

One player who showed intent by smashing a hundred on a turning track in Chennai and even played a County game to prepare for the tour during break period is going to warm the bench at Nottingham. Nobody has showed more intent than Ashwin. Has done everything the team asks for.

— Venkata Krishna B (@venkatatweets) August 4, 2021

You could call it an accumulation of all the hard work we have put in over the years. The opportunity to win in England and Australia in the same year is rare. To get opportunities in such times to play and play in front of crowds as well, we are grateful.