India take on England in the first Test of the four-match series at Chepauk in Chennai from February 5. Here are some insights for the India v England Dream 11 fantasy.

India return home after a triumphant Australian tour to play four Tests against England, all part of the World Test Championship, the first of which is in Chennai. Here’s a look at some pointers to use when building your fantasy team for the first Test.

India v England Dream 11 Fantasy Pointers

• Fast bowlers have taken just 17 wickets in two Tests in Chennai since 2010, averaging 50.11.
• Spinners have taken 41 wickets in the two Tests in Chennai since 2010.
• R Ashwin took just one wicket across 69 overs against England at his home venue in 2016 when the teams played here.
• Moeen Ali made 146 in the first innings at this venue in the Test match in 2016, but took just one wicket in 41 overs. He might still pip Dom Bess to the XI based on batting potential too.
• India made their highest Test total at this venue (759-7d) against England in 2016, the last Test to be played in Chennai.
• India have slightly shifted to laying wickets that are more pace friendly in home Tests since 2018. Since then, in eight home Tests, India’s fast bowlers have taken 80 wickets at 15.30 including four five-wicket hauls while India’s spinners have 74 wickets at 23.05 with two five-wicket hauls.

England: Dom Sibley, Rory Burns, Ollie Pope, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Jack Leach, Jofra Archer, James Anderson

India v England Dream 11 Team

Wicketkeeper: Jos Buttler
Batsmen: Joe Root, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill
All-rounders: Ben Stokes, R Ashwin, Moeen Ali
Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Major fantasy choices

James Anderson or Jofra Archer

While James Anderson has been exemplary in Asia of late, Jofra Archer, who is yet to play a Test in the sub-continent is perhaps a better bet in terms of fantasy value. As someone who can skid the ball through by targeting the stumps more, while also possessing the ability to bounce batsmen out, Archer is well-suited to conditions in India and is worth a gamble over Anderson.

Mohammed Siraj or the extra spinner

India’s recent home pitches (since 2018) have more often favoured pace bowlers over spinners. However, in the one Test series against a side with a top pace attack like South Africa, the Indian spinners had slightly more success (32 wickets to spin and 26 to pace). They are unlikely to dish out a pace-friendly wicket against England, but it may not be too spinner friendly either. With Ravindra Jadeja absent, the spin choices behind Ashwin aren’t too enticing for India. Siraj, on the other hand, has a terrific first-class record on these Indian wickets and on current form seems to be a better pick.

Cheteshwar Pujara or Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma has a terrific home record since being pushed to open the batting. This includes three hundreds and a double hundred in his last seven home Tests. In 14 home Tests, he averages 88.33. Pujara, while the most consistent player in the side, last made a Test century at home in 2017, and hasn’t really made plenty of runs in home Tests since then. In terms of fantasy value, the ability to spend time at the crease doesn’t amount to much.

Rohit Sharma has three hundreds and a double hundred in his last seven home Tests.

How will he go in the upcoming home series against England? #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/ia6gSq0BU0

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) January 26, 2021

Probable XI

India: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c) Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj

India v England Dream 11: Leagues to join

Contests for Champions: ₹777 for prize pool of ₹4,444 (4 out of 7 teams win)

Other contests: ₹329 for prize pool of ₹9,000 (20 out of 35 teams win)

Other contests: ₹165 for prize pool of ₹1500 (9 out of 11 teams win, 5 get above ₹165)