England announces the playing XI for the series opener against India

England have announced their playing XI for the first Test at Edgbaston and named Jos Buttler the vice-captain of the team for the five-match series. Adil Rashid will make a comeback in the whites for the hosts after featuring for his country last in December 2016. He is the only spinner for this game as Moeen Ali has been benched along with Jamie Porter.

The skipper Joe Root confirmed the XI ahead of the series opener according to the official website of England Cricket Board (ECB). Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings will open the innings for them as Root will continue to bat at number 3 with Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes to follow. Buttler will bat at 7 followed by the pacers as Sam Curran managed to retain his place in the side after making his debut against Pakistan.

Will Rashid make an impact?

Adil Rashid’s inclusion in the squad has been the story so far of this series. His success in the limited-overs format has helped him make a comeback in Tests. But will he be able to trouble the Indian batsmen? His selection was largely influenced by the way he dismissed the skipper Virat Kohli in the deciding One-Day International.

He hasn’t played red-ball cricket this season in the County championship for Yorkshire and it will be interesting how he fares in the game. With only one spinner in the line-up, Root will have to roll his arm at times if the pitch assists the spinners later in the encounter. Though the responsibility of picking 20 wickets will be on the bowlers itself.

England’s playing XI for the first Test:

Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Joe Root (c), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (vc), Sam Curran, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Adil Rashid

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