Wasim Jaffer on Sunday (January 31) has picked India’s Playing XI for their first Test against England, starting from February 5 in Chennai.

According to the former opening batsman who played 31 Tests for India alongside a couple of ODIs, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill should come to bat as India’s opening pair.

In the middle-order, Jaffer’s choices are Cheteshwar Pujara, returning captain Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who was in glorious form in India’s recent Test series against Australia.

Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin are the two spinners in Jaffer’s XI, with the former batsman noting that English batsmen generally struggle against the left-arm spinner, who in this case should be Patel.

Jafeer believes India’s pace attack should be headed by Jasprit Bumrah, while either Ishant Sharma or Mohammed Siraj should be picked depending upon the pitch and team combination.

Jaffer is of the same opinion about Kuldeep Sharma and Shardul Thakur as well.

Wasim Jaffer’s Playing XI for first Test: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav/Shardul Thakur, Ishant Sharma/Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah.

India's Playing XI for 1st Test(imo):
1 Rohit
2 Gill
3 Pujara
4 Kohli
5 Rahane
6 Pant
7 Axar*
8 Ashwin
9 Kuldeep/Thakur
10 Ishant/Siraj
11 Bumrah
Question is about 2 spots depending on combination + pitch.

What's your XI?

*Eng have huge weakness vs left arm spin. #INDvENG

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 31, 2021

India’s full squad for the first two Tests: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Wriddhiman Saha, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel.

After playing the first two Tests in Chennai behind closed doors, India and England will move to Ahmedabad for the remaining two Tests. After that, the two teams will lock horns with each other in three ODIs and five T20Is as well.