India’s Predicted Playing XI vs England: No Place for Karun Nair or Washington Sundar in Aakash Chopra’s Lineup

India Set to Begin New Test Era Against England
Team India is gearing up for a fresh chapter in Test cricket as they prepare to face England in a five-match series starting soon. This series will be especially significant as it marks the beginning of India’s campaign in the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Leadership Questions Loom After Kohli and Rohit’s Exit

The sudden retirements of two of India’s biggest names—Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli—have left a leadership vacuum. Fans and analysts alike are now speculating about who will lead India’s red-ball team moving forward. Former India opener Aakash Chopra recently shared his thoughts, not only on India’s captaincy options but also on his preferred playing XI for the series opener against England.

Chopra’s suggested lineup includes a mix of experience and fresh talent but notably excludes Karun Nair and Washington Sundar. Both players have been in and out of the squad in recent years, and their exclusion highlights the competition for places in India’s Test setup.

While Chopra didn’t provide an official list on social media or in his videos as of now, he emphasized the importance of backing consistent performers and investing in young players who can take Indian Test cricket forward over the next few years.

A Fresh Opportunity for Young Guns

With Rohit and Kohli stepping aside, there’s a clear opportunity for younger batters and bowlers to step up. Players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Ruturaj Gaikwad could cement their places in the team. In the bowling department, India may continue to rely on the experience of Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj while also testing new faces.

Series to Define India’s Future in Test Cricket

The series against England won’t just be about results—it will also be about building a new core for the future. As India begins this fresh journey in the longest format, all eyes will be on how the team performs without two of its modern greats.

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