The England cricket team landed at the Chennai International airport on a high. Led by the talismanic Joe Root, they sealed a whitewash at Sri Lanka. However, when England take on India, starting February 5, they will have their work cut out. 

Virat Kohli and his men are coming on the back of an incredible series victory down under. If England are to have any chance to qualify to the finals of the World Test Championship they will have beat India by a margin of at least 3-1.

But the return of three integral squad members in Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Rory Burns will boost the Root-led side.

Since his debut in 2017, Burns has given ample proof of his calibre but he is yet to make a thumping statement. The 30-year-old southpaw averages only 32.44 in his 21 Tests. However, with Zak Crawley being ruled out for the first two matches, Burns has an opportunity to cement the opener spot. 

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Meanwhile, partnering Burns at the top will most likely be Dom Sibley. He will be looking for a quick turnaround after a forgettable Sri Lanka tour. 

The No. 3 spot in the England batting lineup has given rise to a lot of well-debated discourse. Jonny Bairstow looked like the likely contender for the coveted spot but as he has been rested for the first two Tests, there’s an evident vacancy to fill. 

With Crawley ruled out, Root recently hinted at the idea of playing Ben Stokes up the order. All though Stokes’ prowess as a Test batter isn’t up for debate, but his shuffle up the order could leave gaping holes in the middle-order. 

England could also flirt with the idea of Ollie Pope, who has just returned from an injury, at No. 3. 

There’s also an outside chance of Root promoting himself up the order. However, with the form he has showcased batting at No. 4 recently, it could be quite a risk for the England side. The England skipper has been in sublime touch and pretty much outplayed the Lankan on his own. 

In the four innings, Root amassed 426 runs at an average of 106.5 and top-scored in the series. The next best was Angelo Mathews, with 213 runs.  

Root swept the Sri Lankan spinners out of the game and that is something the other England batters will have to learn from. This is clearly Root’s team and when he plays his 100th Test on February 5, he will be hoping for a resounding statement from his men. 

When it comes to their spin bowling department, England will have an all-important decision to make. On the spin-friendly tracks of Chennai, the visitors will have decide whether they plan to play two spinners or a single one.

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Despite their combined haul of 22 wickets in Sri Lanka, Jack Leach and Dom Bess struggled for long periods in both Tests. So there’s an argument that Moeen Ali could swoop in place of either of the two spinners.  

England have also included three reserve spinners in Mason Crane, Matthew Parkinson and Amar Virdi.

Then there’s also the argument about playing both James Anderson and Stuart Board or only one of them. England’s seam department looks all glittery even with either one of them sitting out. Archer will lead the line with the likes of Stokes and Woakes chipping in with important overs in the middle.

Joe Root and England will be eyeing an incredible series win against the mighty Indian outfit, however, their recent record in the subcontinent leaves plenty to be desired – they were routed 4-0 on their last visit in 2016-17.