India v/s England 2018 1st Test Pre-Analysis

India v England 2018 Test Series - 1st Test (Edgbaston)

India vs england full Test series preview is here:- India vs England 2018 Test Series

INDIA v ENGLAND 1st Test:-

After an impressive ODI series, England is in a great position ahead of Test series against India. While India will be looking to make this English tour glorious and memorable with this test series win. This time things will be a bit easier for the Indian team in England. 

As far as the first test is concerned, India team can make this test in their favour. Because of Edgbaston's dry and rough conditions. It will swing but not that much it usually does. 

And the most important thing, "If you don't have a great past track record in a particular area, and if you get another opportunity to explore yourself in that field, that is the time to prove your worth and ability to the whole world." That's what Virat Kohli and team India wants to do this time in those swinging English conditions. But is it swinging and seaming that much this time?

The answer is "NO".

The reason behind it is less rain and moisture in England this summer so far.

INDIA:-

The dry environment will help the Indian team in creating the history in England this time. Most of the Indian batsman is looking in good touch. Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, & Dinesh Kartik(wk) showed some good form in practice matches with the bat. Edgbaston is known for its green and bouncy wickets. And in those conditions India's regular test opener, Murli Vijay will be the key for the team India and he is also looking in good touch. The only problem with the team India is Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara's poor form in English conditions. They have to do something here.

If we talk about bowling, highest wicket-taker for team India on the last England tour is absent due to an injury. Jasprit Bumrah is injured too. Still, Indian bowling is strong enough to thrash any batting lineup in the world. Umesh Yadav, MD. Shaami and Ishant Sharma have a lot of experience, especially in the English conditions. In the spin department, Ashwin, Jadeja and Kuldeep are there which may play some crucial role this time. A lot of experts are going with Ashwin & Kuldeep as their first XI pick. But Ravindra Jadeja will be much effective in these conditions.

ENGLAND:-

Undoubtedly England will be the favourites in this series. But in this match, England will get some serious fight from the team India. If their fast bowlers don't get enough from pitch and conditions, it will be the real test for England side. England's batting is doing a good job this season. Cook, Root, & Buttler are in brilliant touch. Jonny Bairstow was the highest run-getter for England side last season. Ben Stokes and Dawid Malan are back in the test team too.

England's bowling department is one of the most lethal attacks in those english conditions. Their legendary bowling pair, Anderson-Broad will put a lot of difficult and unpredicted questions in front of team India. They will miss Chris Woakes in this test due to an injury. But young sensation, Sam Curran bowled brilliantly against India-A team and is in red-hot form too. Last time Moeen Ali took around 19 wickets against India on those green pitches. That was the real surprise for all Indian fans. At the moment, leg-spinner Adil Rashid is in good form and can create problems for team India. Jamie Porter also gets his maiden test call for England.

Must Read:- India vs England test series 2018 preview 

PROBABLE XI:- (Ist Test)

INDIA:-  Virat Kohli(c), Murli Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, KL  Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane, Dinesh Kartik(wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, MD. Shaami, Ishant Sharma

ENGLAND:- Joe Root(c), Alaister Cook, Keaton Jennings, Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, Straut Broad, Adil Rashid, James Anderson