From debate over the opening spot to the exact composition of the bowling attack, India have plenty of selection debates to ponder over ahead of the first T20I against England. Four Wisden writers pick their ideal XI.

Since February 2019, India have been undefeated in every bilateral T20I series they have played, with their mix of experience and youth combining to give the ideal winning momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup. The England series will be a crucial milestone before the global event. The side can zero in on their preferred line-up in home conditions, where the World Cup is set to take place.

Four Wisden writers – Ben Gardner, Aadya Sharma, Rohit Sankar and Rupin Kale – present their choices.

Ben Gardner, Wisden.com managing editor

Rohit Sharma
KL Rahul
Virat Kohli
Suryakumar Yadav
Rishabh Pant (WK)
Hardik Pandya
Washington Sundar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Deepak Chahar
Yuzvendra Chahal
T Natarajan

It’s tempting to pick all the uncapped players, with Ishan Kishan among the most exciting young batsmen in India, and Rahul Tewatia causing excitement whenever he plays. But a T20 World Cup year is not the time for too much experimentation, so it’s reasonable to want India to stick with the tried and tested.

That top three might look a little too steady, but all it would take is a small mindset tweak from KL Rahul to make it truly formidable. Suryakumar Yadav debuts as a No.4 capable of doing it all, and that No.5 and 6 combo is, frankly, obscene.

This XI does lack a little for batting depth, and it’s tempting to try and find a way to squeeze two of Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, and Axar Patel into the same XI. But since Yuzvendra Chahal is a must pick and three spinners might just be too many, that’s tough to do. Bhuvneshwar gets the chance to show he can be again the bowler he once was, while Deepak Chahar and T Natarajan top and tail respectively.

Aadya Sharma, Wisden India editor

Rohit Sharma
Shikhar Dhawan
Virat Kohli
Suryakumar Yadav
Rishabh Pant
Hardik Pandya
Washington Sundar
Axar Patel
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Navdeep Saini
Yuzvendra Chahal

A three-way clash for the opening slot has left many scratching their heads, but ahead of the World Cup, India would be tempted to reunite the successful pair of Rohit and Dhawan (who scored a List A 150 just days ago), even if it means leaving out KL Rahul, whose strike-rate makes it difficult to fit him in a steady top four.

Ishan Kishan has done little wrong in the past half a year, but there might not be space for him in the middle order right away, given that Suryakumar is possibly a better fit at No.4, and Pant and Pandya are too good to be shifted.

Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar make for a sound spin bowling pair, but would ideally want additional cushioning via Axar Patel, especially after England’s woes against tweakers in the Test series. Hard done by injuries, Bhuvneshwar Kumar should rightfully make a return, where he trumps like-for-like Deepak Chahar in terms of control at the death. The late news of T Natarajan’s injury concern makes him a doubtful pick, but Navdeep Saini, who complements Bhuvneshwar well with out-and-out pace, can complete the bowling attack, assuming that Hardik Pandya is fit enough to send down a few overs if needed.

Rohit Sankar, Wisden India staff writer

Rohit Sharma
Virat Kohli
Suryakumar Yadav
Ishan Kishan
Rishabh Pant
Hardik Pandya
Axar Patel
Washington Sundar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
T Natarajan
Yuzvendra Chahal

While the KL Rahul – Shikhar Dhawan debate rages on, ideally India should be testing the new guns early on in the series and a middle-order of Suryakumar, Pant, Kishan and Hardik is too tempting to resist.

If that means Virat Kohli opens the innings with Rohit Sharma, it might just be a good way to see if the skipper can fulfil the role he pulled off reasonably successfully for Royal Challengers Bangalore at one time.

With Chakravarthy and Tewatia in doubt, Chahal and Washington Sundar are certain picks. The choice is likely between an extra quick in Navdeep Saini and an extra spinner in Axar. The current form he is in and the IPL 2020 he had edges Axar ahead, especially with there being a chance to see the improved T20 version of the left-arm spinner.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Sundar can take the new ball with Natarajan and Bhuvneshwar donning death bowling duties.

Rupin Kale, Wisden India staff writer

Rohit Sharma
Shikhar Dhawan
Virat Kohli
KL Rahul
Rishabh Pant (wk)
Suryakumar Yadav
Hardik Pandya
Washington Sundar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Yuzvendra Chahal
Navdeep Saini

While the top order looks solid, that middle order looks daunting. With Suryakumar Yadav proving himself in the domestic cricket and Rishabh Pant producing his best months in international cricket, both deserve a chance in the T20Is. With Pant coming in, Rahul can relinquish the wicket-keeping duties and focus on his batting, which has been superb of late. The bowling attack looks solid as well, especially if Hardik Pandya can bowl his quota of overs.

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