Ishant Sharma last played a Test match against New Zealand last year, but he was injured during that time.
The much awaited Test series has started between India and England (India vs England 2021). In the first Test in Chennai, England captain Joe Root has decided to bat first after winning the toss. The playing eleven of Team India has also been revealed for this match. Apart from captain Virat Kohli, Jaspreet Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ishant Sharma have returned. However, Kuldeep Yadav once again failed to make a place in the playing XI. England captain Joe Root is also playing his 100th Test match.
The Indian team is going with their strength i.e. spin bowlers on the home pitches for this test. There are 2 fast bowlers and 3 spinners in the playable XI. Bumrah and Ashwin, who sat out due to injury in the last Test in Brisbane between India and Australia, have returned to the team. At the same time, Captain Kohli has also returned to the team for the first time after the Adelaide Test.
Ishant returns after a year, Bumrah’s home debut
The most important comeback has been that of fast bowler Ishant Sharma. Ishant suffered an injury during the IPL 2020, due to which he could not go on tour to Australia. Ishant played his last Test in New Zealand exactly one year ago. However, Ishant was injured in that test too and returned back to the country.
At the same time, India’s leading fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who started his Test career 3 years ago, finally got a chance to play a Test match at home for the first time. Bumrah, who has played 17 Tests so far, is making a home debut.
Waiting for Kuldeep, miracle again for Shahbaz
At the same time, just before the toss, spinner Akshar Patel was out due to a knee injury. Patel was almost certain to make his debut in this Test, but due to injury he dropped out of the match. Shahbaz Nadeem was included in the squad in his place and also found a place in the playing eleven. This will be only the second test of Shahbaz.
Earlier, he made his debut in the Ranchi Test against South Africa in 2019. The funny thing is that he was included in the team at the last chance after the injury in that test too.
However, the wait for spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s return to the Test team has become longer. Before the match, captain Kohli had praised Kuldeep a lot and said that he will be given opportunities, but he failed to make it to the Test in the first place. Kuldeep played his last Test in 2018. Washington Sundar has been included as the third spinner. Sundar made his debut in Australia and also showed amazing off the bat with the ball.
This is today’s playing-11
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shahbaz Nadeem, Jaspreet Bumrah, Ishant Sharma.
England: Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Daniel Lawrence, Joe Root, Ben Stocks, Allie Pope, Joss Butler, Dominic Bess, Joffra Archer, Jack Leach, James Anderson
