England playing 11 vs India, 1st Test, 2024

England is all set to clash with India in an away Test series. IND vs ENG Test series will observe five matches. The opening Test clash begins on Thursday, January 25 at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad. Ben Stokes leads England in the IND v ENG Test series.

England had a poor record in the previous Test series in India in 2021, when they lost the five-match series 3-1. They have a tough challenge on spin-friendly Indian pitches. However, they will bank upon Bazball style of play this time to outplay Team India. Below we discuss England’s possible playing 11 for IND vs ENG 1st Test.

England Playing 11 vs India, 1st Test, 2024

Zak Crawley

Zak Crawley will be the opener for England in the 1st Test. The right-handed batter showcased a stunning form in the previous Test series Ashes 2023. The 25-year-old batter slammed 480 runs across 9 innings at an average of 53.33. Crawley also slammed 1 ton and 2 fifties in the series.

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Ben Duckett

Ben Duckett might be another opener for England in the 1st Test against India. The left-handed batter also showed a decent form in the Ashes 2023. He played 9 innings and slammed 423 runs including 2 half-centuries. He also scored a marvelous knock of 98 runs in one game.

Ollie Pope

Ollie Pope might be the one-down batter for England for the 1st Test vs India. Ollie Pope also play for England in Ashes 2023. He is a powerful batter in the top order. With 4 tons and 11 fifties including 1 double ton across 38 Tests, Pope has a decent batting average of

Joe Root

Joe Root is the most crucial batter for England and he will take the one-down spot in IND vs ENG 1st Test. The right-handed batter is a Test specialist. In 9 innings in the previous series, Root mustered 412 runs averaging 51.50. He also stormed 1 century and 2 half-centuries in the series.

Ben Stokes (C)

Ben Stokes is the captain of England in the Test series against India. He will lead the team in the opening game. Stokes will be a crucial medium-pacer for England. However, there is uncertainty if he will bowl or not.

Nonetheless, he will play a key role with the bat in the middle order. The left-handed batsman showcased outstanding form in the previous Test series against Australia with 405 runs in 9 innings.

Jonny Bairstow (WK)

Jonny Bairstow might be picked as wicketkeeper in the opening Test vs India. Bairstow is a powerful lower-order batter in Tests. The right-handed batter also played in Ashes 2023. He scored 418 runs in 8 innings with 3 half-centuries and a top knock of unbeaten 99 runs.

Ben Foakes

Harry Brook has been ruled out of the IND vs ENG Test series. Hence, Ben Foakes might be inducted into the playing 11. He might not keep the stumps in the match. However, since he is also a middle-order batter like Harry Brook, he might take a spot in the middle-order.

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Rehan Ahmed

Rehan Ahmed will play a crucial role as a spin all-rounder for England in the Test series against India. Ahmed has only played 1 Test so far against Pakistan in December 2022. The right-arm spinner hunted 7 wickets in that game with a fifer in one innings. Rehan is the only spin all-rounder in the England squad. Hence, he is likely to get a place in the playing 11 in the opening clash.

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Tom Hartley

Tom Hartley might be another spinner in England playing 11 for the 1st Test against India. Tom Hartley is a left-arm spinner who has so far played 2 ODIs for England. The 24-year-old spinner is yet to grab any wicket in international cricket.

However, since England is short of experienced spinners in the series, they will bank upon debutants like Hartley. With the India series, Hartley will also aim for his first wicket in international cricket.

Mark Wood

Mark Wood will be another pacer for the team. Wood showed a fabulous bowling attack in the previous Test series. He hunted 14 wickets across 3 matches in Ashes 2023. He also hunted a five-wicket haul in one match and helped England to win the match. Wood is also a powerful hitter. This makes him a useful tailender batsman.

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Jack Leach

Jack Leach might be a spinner for England in the opening game. The left-arm spinner is the most experienced in the squad with 124 wickets in 34 Tests. He last played a Test match against Ireland in June last year. He picked up 4 wickets in that match. Since Leach is the most experienced spinner, he might get a spot in playing 11 in 1st Test.