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Pataudi Trophy 2021, 1st Test preview: Relentless India eyes dominant start to new WTC cycle

England begins its Pataudi Trophy title defence against India in the opening Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham from Wednesday. India would be doing everything to draw the first blood in the series.

Pataudi Trophy 2021, 1st Test preview: Team analysis, probable xi, fantasy xi, live streaming details-ayh
Author
Nottingham, First Published Aug 3, 2021, 4:47 PM IST

The time has come, as India and England square off in the opening Test for the Pataudi Trophy 2021 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham from Wednesday. While the host would look to get off to a winning start for the title defence, the visitor would be desperate to draw first blood.

India is already coming off a winning performance in a four-Test series against the side back in March-April at home. Although India won it 3-1, it had to toil hard for it.

While the task is at England's backyard this time, things would be even challenging. Nonetheless, here's the preview of this exciting clash.

Pataudi Trophy 2021, 1st Test preview: Team analysis, probable xi, fantasy xi, live streaming details-ayh

Team composition
India is heavy on its batting, as it would look to strengthen it by batting long. India has struggled batting in English conditions and is looking to have more batsmen in the fray to make it last longer. As for its bowling, it seems to be dominant, with a balanced pace, seam and spin attack.

For England, it is a similar story. Although it does not have a larger squad like India to select from, it too has focused more on its batting. It is primarily because it lacks enough big names, unlike the last time. As for its bowling, it is well equipped with match-winners.

Pataudi Trophy 2021, 1st Test preview: Team analysis, probable xi, fantasy xi, live streaming details-ayh

Injury concerns
India has three injury concerns, with Shubman Gill, Washington Sundarand Avesh Khan being ruled out of the tour due to respective injuries. In contrast, opener Mayank Agarwal has suffered a concussion, thus missing out on the opening Test. Meanwhile, England has no injury concerns.

Head-to-head
As for the head-on clashes between the two, England leads with 48 wins of the 126 matches, while India has won 29. In England, of the 62 Tests, England has won 34, while India has won just seven. As for Trent Bridge, of the seven Tests, it has been two apiece.

Pataudi Trophy 2021, 1st Test preview: Team analysis, probable xi, fantasy xi, live streaming details-ayh

Weather and pitch report
Considering the weather in Nottingham, while Wednesday would be partly cloudy, rain is expected on the remaining four days, with the temperature likely to be around 19 to 23 degrees. As for the track, it would assist seam throughout with some grass on it, while it is expected to become spin-friendly in the final two days.

Probable XI
India:
KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.
England: Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Daniel Lawrence, Ollie Robinson/Sam Curran, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson and Jack Leach.

Pataudi Trophy 2021, 1st Test preview: Team analysis, probable xi, fantasy xi, live streaming details-ayh

Fantasy XI
Batsmen:
Rohit, Kohli, Root (c)- Rohit should give the perfect start, while Root can come in handy at number three. As for Kohli, he is likely to consolidate at number four, while Root's reliability makes him the skipper.
Wicketkeepers: Buttler, Pant- Buttler should also open and partner well with Rohit, courtesy of his free-flowing form, while Pant can come in the middle and stabilise the innings.
All-rounders: Jadeja (c), Ashwin, Curran- Jadeja and Ashwin are no-brainers here, while Curran can come in handy in every department, as he displayed in India.
Bowlers: Anderson, Shami, Siraj- Anderson too is a must-have for his veteran seam bowling credibilities, and so does Shami, while Siraj too can come in handy in the same despite his inexperience.

Match details
Date and day:
August 4, 2021 (Wednesday)
Venue: Trent Bridge
Time: 3.30 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Sony Ten, Sony Six, Sony Ten 3 and Sony Ten 4 (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Sony LIV
 
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