England vs India Playing 11 LIVE UPDATES, 1st Test: Who will bat at number 3 spot in Leeds?

1st Test | IND vs ENG Playing 11 LIVE: It is going to be a toss up between Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan for the number 3 batting position.
As Shubman Gill's era begins in Indian cricket, in his first assignment—India vs England 1st Test—as captain, all eyes are on India's Playing 11 at Headingley in Leeds today. Gill will come out for the toss at 3 PM, according to Indian Standard Time (IST), and Indian fans will be eagerly waiting to check the Playing 11.
After India's leadership group—Rishabh Pant and Gill—already explained their batting positions, it remains to be seen who will bat at the crucial number 3 spot in Leeds.
All indications suggest that Karun Nair will make a long-awaited return to India's Test XI, batting at No. 3 in the absence of veterans Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. If confirmed, it will be Nair's first appearance in the format since 2017.
The final call for the No. 6 slot is expected to favour Nitish Reddy over Sai Sudharsan, with Reddy's all-round abilities proving valuable during training sessions. Shardul Thakur is likely to slot in at No. 8, rounding out a four-pronged pace attack that includes Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna.
India Probable XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
England named their playing XI two days before the start of Leeds Test, opting for continuity and pace. Vice-captain Ollie Pope has been retained at the crucial No. 3 slot ahead of youngster Jacob Bethell, while Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue will lead the pace duties.
England's line-up also features Chris Woakes in the lower order, giving them valuable all-round depth, and Jamie Smith as the designated wicketkeeper-batter at No. 7. The spin role will be handled by Shoaib Bashir, with Ben Stokes leading the side.
9:23 AM
India vs England Playing 11 LIVE UPDATES
Hello and welcome to Business Standard's live coverage of India vs England Playing 11. All eyes on India's Playing 11 after England announced their Playing 11 two days before the start of the 1st Test. The toss at 3 PM IST will see new India captain Shubman Gill coming out with India's Playing 11 sheet. Before that we will look at what could be the India's XI.

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