England vs India 2021: 1st Test – Match Prediction – Who Will Win The Match?

The much-awaited Test series between India and England is all set to kick off on August 4 (Wednesday) at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. This will also mark the beginning of the second cycle of the ICC World Test Championship.

India have had to deal with injury woes yet again on the England tour with Mayank Agarwal out of the first Test due to a concussion. Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, and Avesh Khan are already ruled out of the whole series.

🗣️ 🗣️ Any match you play for your country is important: #TeamIndia captain @imVkohli #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/EjuE4Zs0pj

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 3, 2021

KL Rahul, who scored an outstanding century in the warm-up game against Select County XI is likely to open with Rohit Sharma. However, it remains to be seen if India go with two spinner strategy in Nottingham.

England, on the other hand, have a void to fill in the absence of Ben Stokes, who has been their main man since 2018. Sam Curran is the leading man in Stokes’ absence who can offer the same set of skills with the bat and ball. The hosts will also be without the services of Jofra Archer, who is recovering from elbow surgery.

India vs England 2021: 1st Test – Match Details

Date: August 4-8 2021,

Time: 11:00 Local, 15:30 IST

Venue: Trent Bridge, Nottingham

Predicted Playing XI

India: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul/Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj, Ishant Sharma/Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

England: Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (c), Ollie Pope/Jonny Bairstow, Dan Lawrence, Jos Buttler, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

Match Prediction – Who will win the match?

England are almost invincible in home conditions but the last defeat against New Zealand in June will keep them on their toes. Meanwhile, the overcast weather conditions prevailing in the UK might bring India’s Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja into the picture.

If Indian spinners get to play a role in the match, the visitors will start as the favourite whereas England will have a better chance if the wicket offers swing and bounce.

All in all, both teams will start on a similar paddle and will look to go 1-0 up in this five-match series.