IND vs ENG: Rohit Sharma names Axar Patel ahead of Kuldeep Yadav in India playing 11 for 1st Test vs England

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IND vs ENG: Rohit Sharma named Axar Patel ahead of Kuldeep Yadav in India's playing eleven for the first Test vs England at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

Rohit said that leaving Kuldeep Yadav was a tough decision, but Axar's batting credentials helped him to get into the India playing eleven for the first Test.

Further, Rajat Patidar wasn't handed a debut Test cap. The Madhya Pradesh batter was picked in the squad for the first two Tests as Virat Kohli's replacement. The star batter has opted out due to personal reasons.

KL Rahul has been slated to bat at number four, with Shreyas Iyer at five. KS Bharat has been named as the wicketkeeper-batter for the first Test. He recently hit a hundred for India A against England Lions.

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are the two pacers for the first Test. Siraj has reckoned that his main role will be to create pressure by not leaking runs.

England won the toss and elected to bat first in Hyderabad. The visitors have named just one pacer in Mark Wood in their playing eleven.

India Playing 11 for 1st Test vs England: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, KS Bharat (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah

Hyderabad Pitch Report

Dry surface and spinners are going to play a huge role, Kevin Pietersen and Murali Karthik reckon. There are grasses in the middle but the surface is dry there as well. Winning the toss and batting first is a no-brainer.