Skipper Virat
Kohli and his decisions will be under the spotlight as India take on England in
the first of the five-match Test series at the Trent Bridge, Nottingham on Wednesday.
Much will depend on Kohli’s team selection for the tough English conditions, as
the ploy of backing India’s traditional strength, spin, in the World Test
Championship (WTC) final backfired.

Kohli and
the Indian team management had announced the playing XI for the WTC final against
New Zealand two days prior, with his selection of both Ravichandran Ashwin and
Ravindra Jadeja drawing flak as seam and swing presents the biggest threat to
batsmen in England.

India went
on the lose the match comprehensively despite rain washing out much of the encounter.

For the upcoming
series, Kohli will have to think about his selection much harder as, given
there are a few more dilemmas to ponder over. Shubman Gill’s leg injury has
left the door wide open for the second opener’s slot, with KL Rahul, Abhimanyu
Easwaran and Prithvi Shaw all in contention to partner Rohit Sharma up top.

The next
three slots are virtually untouchable, but may not be after this series as senior
batting stars Cheteshwar Pujara, Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane are expected to carry
much of the run-scoring burden for the team.

The next
puzzle to solve will be that of the middle order, with Rishabh Pant pretty much
guaranteed to start as India’s wicketkeeping-batsman choice. However, one of
Ashwin and Jadeja’s spot as the bowling all-rounder might be in jeopardy, given
that utility player Hanuma Vihari’s inclusion can make way for Shardul Thakur’s
entry as well.

Also Read | Kohli’s form to Stokes’ break: Talking points for India’s tour of England

In the
vital pace bowling department, the biggest question to answer will be whether India
will opt to use Mohammed Siraj’s raw pace or not, as the 27-year-old’s performances
Down Under made him a cult hero of sorts.

India will
also be playing against heavy odds, as their recent record as visitors in England
has been abysmal. India have lost 11 out of the last 14 Tests in England, with
the last two tours in 2014 and 2018 resulting in heavy losses.

But Kohli can take heart from England’s recent Test series loss to New Zealand, with the Kiwis exposing the hosts’ batting fragility. Another big boost for India is Ben Stokes’ “indefinite break” from cricket to focus on mental health.