Team-India-begins-practice

Picture Credit: Twitter/@BCCI

After Team India failed to lift the WTC trophy in Southampton last month, Virat Kohli and Co. are set to start from the scratch once again to achieve the feat. India are set to begin their new cycle of World Test Championship (2021-23) against England as an exciting 5-match Test series is on the cards. With the opening Test, set to be played at Trent Bridge from August 4 onwards, the visitors have resumed their training sessions on Tuesday.

The side sweated it out in the nets at Durham and the session featured most of India's expected starters in the playing XI next week. BCCI posted the pictures of the training session with a caption stating," #TeamIndia back at it and having a centre wicket training at Durham Cricket Club ahead of the five-match Test series against England."

Will KL Rahul play the 1st Test against England?

The pictures shared by BCCI gave a hint about few of the possible names that could feature in India's playing XI against England in the 1st Test. Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and KL Rahul were the ones who were spotted spending some in the middle and having a hit in the park.

The inclusion of KL Rahul is probably the biggest talking point for India going into the first Test. The wicketkeeper batsman was the most impressive batsman in the side's practice match against County Select XI last week. The 29-year-old played a mesmerizing knock and scored a scintillating ton when most of his teammates struggled with their timing.

There are a lot of concerns for India which opens up the possibility of playing KL Rahul in the first Test. Cheteshwar Pujara and Mayank Agarwal have not looked too comfortable in recent times and their spots in the side are not guaranteed. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane have also recently recovered from their respective injuries. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant also joined the squad only few days back after testing negative for COVID-19.

Considering the fact that most of the Indian batsmen is having some issue or the other, either in terms of form or fitness, there is a likely possibility that KL Rahul could get a nod ahead of one of the mentioned players considering his recent form.