Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has weighed in on the composition of India's playing XI for the first Test against England, which commences on June 20th in Leeds. With Shubman Gill taking over the captaincy in the wake of retirements of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Shastri's insights offer a glimpse into the possible strategies for the crucial opening match.

Shastri's suggested top order features Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul as openers, with Rahul getting the nod due to his experience and past success in England. At number three, Shastri has backed Sai Sudharsan, citing his impressive form and the valuable exposure this tour would provide. Shubman Gill will bat at his familiar number four position. Karun Nair, who has earned a recall after consistent domestic performances, is slated to bat at number five, followed by Rishabh Pant at number six.

The most intriguing part of Shastri's selection is the debate surrounding the all-rounder's spot at number eight, where two fast-bowling all-rounders, Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy, are vying for a place. Shastri acknowledged it as a tough decision, emphasizing the importance of assessing their bowling workloads. Shastri indicated that if Reddy could contribute significantly with the ball, potentially bowling 12-14 overs, his batting prowess might give him the edge. However, he ultimately leans towards Shardul Thakur.

Regarding the pace attack, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are automatic choices. The final spot will depend on the conditions at Headingley. Shastri suggested that if the weather is overcast, Arshdeep Singh's left-arm angle could be an advantage. Otherwise, Prasidh Krishna would complete the pace trio. Ravindra Jadeja is the lone specialist spinner in Shastri's XI, positioned at number seven.

Notably, Kuldeep Yadav, a wrist-spin option, misses out on Shastri's predicted XI. The emphasis on seam bowling reflects a strategy tailored to exploit English conditions.

Shastri's predicted XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Karun Nair, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna/Arshdeep Singh.

With a blend of experience and fresh talent, India aims to start the new World Test Championship cycle on a positive note. The focus will be on Gill's leadership, the performance of the young batting order, and the effectiveness of the chosen bowling attack in English conditions.