Virat Kohli India England
Virat Kohli had a poor run in the last tour to England. Getty Images

As India prepares to take on England in what promises to be a thrilling five-match Test series, the stakes are high for Virat Kohli’s men.

The last time India were here, a lot of questions got raised over the side’s ability to adjust to the alien conditions. England massacred India 3-1, coming from behind to win the final three games of the series in 2014.

However, four years later, a lot has changed, and India now returns as the number one ranked Test side and by a distant margin. In Virat Kohli, the Indians have captain courageous to lead them from the front and by example.

On shores where he struggled previously, a series-winning performance from Virat Kohli will serve as the ultimate redemption for the team.

Virat Kohli, India, England
Virat Kohli would be hoping to inspire India to a series win over England.

Ahead of the series opener at Birmingham, the Indians need to address a few clear-cut issues. Below, we discuss some of the questions which need to get resolved before the first Test, which begins on August 1st.

  1. KL Rahul vs Shikhar Dhawan –

With Murali Vijay sure to be one of the openers, it is imperative to pair the Tamil Nadu lad with the right candidate. While Shikhar Dhawan bagged a pair against Essex, his experience and recent form of aggression could come in handy.

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On a track that is expected to be dry and far from juicy, Dhawan can take the game away from England within a session if he gets going.

Shikhar Dhawan KL Rahul
Shikhar Dhawan KL Rahul

KL Rahul, on the other hand, has been in supreme touch as well. Amassing runs across formats and colours, the elegant right-hander will feel hard done by if he gets overlooked for Dhawan.

A rare case might happen of both playing, given Rahul bats in the middle-order. However, addressing the opening combination is the primary question for Team India.

  1. To play how many spinners?

Thanks to a heat wave around the UK, the pitches for the Test series are expected to remain conducive for the spinners.

India can use this to their benefit, as in Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, they have three world-class spinners.

However, the extent of the surface assisting the spinners is unknown and adding Kuldeep Yadav could mean resting one of the pacers.

Kuldeep Yadav, India, England
Kuldeep Yadav played a pivotal role for India in the limited-overs format. (PC – Getty Images)

Resting a pacer or selecting Hardik Pandya as the third pacer could be extremely tricky and on a bad day, could backfire immensely. Hence the team management will have to take the call of either settling for just Ashwin as the spinner or even adding Kuldeep.

  1. The team formation (6-5 vs 7-4) –

This woe has been imminent for the Indians for quite a while now. Going in with 6-5 would surely be more aggressive, but as seen in the first couple of Tests in South Africa, could backfire.

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On the other hand, a 7-4 combination could mean also being able to accommodate KL Rahul in the playing XI, and making full use of his recent form.

Hardik Pandya
To play Hardik Pandya or not? Virat Kohli would have to make a choice. Getty Images

On the flip side, a 7-4 combination could turn out to be too defensive with the pacers wearing out early, and in a five-match Test series, this could have disastrous consequences. Thus, a 6-5 combination despite all its results seems a safer yet more aggressive bet.

For 6-5, the question again rises, whether to play Hardik Pandya or R. Ashwin as the all-rounder or even both.

That will then mean ignoring the in-form Kuldeep Yadav. The chances of Hardik Pandya getting used as the third frontline seamer seem minimal as of now.

A cricket buff who lives the game fully. A die hard supporter of the Indian cricket Team. Sachin Tendulkar remains my inspiration.