Robin Uthappa picks his Indian XI for ENG vs IND 2025 1st Test, backs Shubman Gill at no.4

Former Indian batsman Robin Uthappa has picked India’s playing XI for the opening Test match against England. Uthappa backed KL Rahul as Yashasvi Jaiswal’s opening partner for the first Test. Rahul and Jaiswal had opened the innings together on the Australian tour and had done a decent job.

The former Indian opener wants in-form Sai Sudharsan to bat at one down. Uthappa backed India’s newly appointed captain, Shubman Gill, to bat at number four.

“For me, I want to start stronger right at the top, and I would want KL Rahul to open there. With the kind of success he has gotten there, with just the way he batted in Australia, and the way he has batted in the past in England augurs well for India to get him to open the batting,” Robin Uthappa said on Star Sports show Game Plan.

“At No. 3, I would love to see someone like Sai Sudharsan because of how technically right he is, and the potential he possesses as what we feel and believe he can do and achieve in Test cricket. No. 4, Shubman Gill for sure,” Uthappa observed.

Uthappa backed Karun Nair, who returned to India’s squad after performing consistently in the domestic circuit, at number five. Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy have been at number six and seven respectively by Uthappa.

“My No. 5 would be Karun Nair because you want a little bit of experience there. No. 6 – Rishabh Pant, I love him at No. 6. I think that’s his sweet spot. At No. 7, I will have Nitish Kumar Reddy because he is a proper fast-bowling all-rounder, your fourth fast-bowling option,” he elaborated.

Uthappa backed Ravindra Jadeja ahead of Kuldeep Yadav at number eight as the former can contribute more with the bat.

“I will have Jadeja. Again, increased depth, scores runs, and has scored runs in England as well in Test cricket. So I will have him at No. 8,” he said.

The former flamboyant batter picked Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna as India’s pace battery.

“I see Siraj playing that role. Siraj has to be a lot more disciplined though. One change, you will like to see Prasidh Krishna come in, and Nitish Kumar Reddy again to support the fast bowlers,” Uthappa observed.

Robin Uthappa India’s playing XI for first Test against England: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Karun Nair, Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj.