Rohit Sharma has picked Axar Patel ahead of Kuldeep Yadav in India’s starting eleven for the opening Test against England at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

 Rohit admitted that losing Kuldeep Yadav was a difficult decision to make, but Axar’s batting credentials helped him get into India’s starting eleven for the first Test.

Furthermore, Rajat Patidar was not given his debut Test cap. The Madhya Pradesh batsman was named to the squad for the first two Tests as Virat Kohli’s replacement. The star hitter has opted out for personal reasons.

KL Rahul will bat fourth, followed by Shreyas Iyer at fifth. KS Bharat has been appointed the wicketkeeper-batsman for the first Test. He recently scored a hundred for India A against the England Lions. The first Test will feature two pacers: Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Siraj believes his primary task will be to generate pressure by not leaking runs.

England won the toss and decided to bat first in Hyderabad. The visitors’ starting lineup includes only one pacer in their playing 11, Mark Wood.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