India vs England 2020-21, 1st Test preview: Both teams to go out all guns blazing

International cricket is all set to resume in India after more than a year, as India takes on England in a four-Test series to defend the Anthony de Mello Trophy. The opening Test would be played at the MA Chidambaram (Chepauk) Stadium in Chennai from Friday.

It would be the first international series in India, in over a year, owing to the raging COVID-19 pandemic that had momentarily brought everything to a standstill worldwide. Furthermore, with both teams coming off winning performance overseas, momentum is undoubtedly on their side, as this series promises to be a thriller. On the same note, we present the match preview of the opening Test.

Current form
As said above, both the sides are coming off winning performances overseas. India dumped Australia 2-1, Down Under, to successfully retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, in a historic win, with a mere B side. As for England, it registered a 2-0 clean sweep in Sri Lanka, as both the sides eye the final spot in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship.

Team composition
It happens to be an exciting combination for Team India. While bowling has been its strength of late, it is going ahead with a packed batting line-up, with 13 of them. Nonetheless, considering its shakiness in the department, it is not a bad idea. As for its bowling, although there are just nine of them, considering the way they performed in Australia, it should not be as challenging to execute the same at home.

For England, it is almost a similar combination, as it too possesses more batsmen. Furthermore, with its top-order being rusty, England has no choice but to keep extra hand options. Meanwhile, there are nine bowlers, which bolsters prolific seamers. Also, with a possible green track, they could prove to be highly effective. However, the lack of enough spin options could indeed hurt the side.

Injury concerns
Unlike in Australia, Team India has no fresh injury concerns in the squad announced for the opening two Tests. As for England, Ollie Pope's inclusion, who has just recovered from a shoulder injury, is an added boost for the visitor. However, Zak Crawley has been ruled out of the opening two Tests owing to a wrist sprain and would be interesting to see how this affects England's tactics.

Head-to-head
Considering the head-to-head clashes between the two, England has traditionally been ahead, winning 47 of the 122 Tests and losing 26. In India, of the 60 Tests, India has won 19 and lost 13, while in Chennai, there have been nine Tests, with India winning five and losing three.

Weather and pitch report
The weather in Chennai is expected to be transparent throughout, with temperature likely to be around 30 degrees. As for the track, it is spin-friendly. However, with some grass cover expected, seamers could come in handy. Thus, an equal spin and pace combination is anticipated from the sides.

Probable XI
India: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Ishant Sharma.
England: Ollie Pope, Dominic Sibley, Ben Foakes, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Dominic Bess, Jack Leach, Jofra Archer and James Anderson.

Fantasy XI
Batsmen: Root, Kohli, Pujara- The three batsmen are gems in the top-order and can open or bat at number three accordingly.
Wicketkeeper: Pant- The youngster was in prolific form in Australia and is steadily getting into the groove, as he is expected to fire again.
All-rounders: Stokes, Ashwin- Stokes is handy in all departments, especially in India. Ashwin will be lethal with his spin, while his reliable batting, too, makes him a must in this XI.
Bowlers: Archer, Anderson, Kuldeep, Bumrah, Siraj- Barring Kuldeep, the other four happen to be pacers, who are likely to make a huge impact, especially Bumrah and Anderson. Meanwhile, provided Kuldeep gets a game, he is sure to be impactful with his spin, being a chinaman.

Players to watch out
Gill: The young opener was in fine form in Australia, and this being his first Test in India, management expects him to give the perfect start to the side.
Kohli: The Indian skipper finished 2020 without an international century. Fans would expect him to go all guns blazing and score a ton in this Test itself.
Root: The English skipper was in a deadly form with the bat in Lanka, being England's highest run-scorer, besides scoring a double ton. It won't be a surprise if he manages to do so in this Test.
Anderson: The veteran seamer has been England's go-to man, be it any bowling conditions. Furthermore, with some grass expected on the track, he is likely to exploit the conditions to his favour.

Match details
Date and day: February 5, 2021 (Friday)
Venue: MA Chidambaram (Chepauk) Stadium, Chennai
Time: 9:30 AM IST
Where to watch (TV): Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Hotstar