Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant retained; Ishant Sharma returns in India’s playing XI against England

Veteran Indian pacer Ishant Sharma is set to make his comeback in the first Test against England on Friday while youngsters Washington Sundar and Rishabh Pant, who starred in the stirring victory against Australia in Brisbane, have been retained in the home side’s playing eleven. 

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India have retained the same batting order from the final Test against Australia in Brisbane’s Gabba Stadium, with the only change being skipper Virat Kohli’s inclusion.

Spin allrounder Ravichandran Ashwin also return to the side and spinner Shahbaz Nadeem has been selected after Axar Patel was ruled out of the first Test due to a knee injury. 

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Meanwhile, all-rounder Ben Stokes, pace spearhead Jofra Archer and opener Rory Burns return for England. 

England have also included Dan Lawrence after top-order batsman Zak Crawley was ruled out with a wrist injury. The visitors have selected Dom Bess and Jack Leach as their spin options.