AI prefers Shardul Thakur over NK Reddy for ENG vs IND 1st Test

Team India is going through constant training sessions before facing England in Leeds. For better preparations, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sent two sets of squads to the UK—the India 'A' team and the main squad. After playing multiple practice matches, the management now has to choose the best possible playing XI.

There are multiple established and promising individuals in the squad. Needless to say, finding the right combination to face the host on their home ground will not be an easy task. They may have to check a series of stats, past experience, performance in recent time, and many other factors that can affect the first Test match of the five-match series. So, we ask Meta AI to show the probable best playing XI that can suit India in Leeds. The result is surprising. 

Here is the probable playing XI for the 1st Test, as listed by Meta AI:

• Yashasvi Jaiswal: Opening batsman

• KL Rahul: Experienced batsman and potential

• Sai Sudharsan: Young talent batting at number 3 

• Shubman Gill (Captain): Leading the team at number 4

• Karun Nair: Batting at number 5 or 6, bringing experience and runs

Read More: ENG vs IND Test Records: India's top 5 batters who scores best in England

• Rishabh Pant (Vice Captain and Wicketkeeper): Aggressive batting and glovework

• Ravindra Jadeja: Frontline spinner batting at number 7

• Shardul Thakur: Batting at number 8, contributing with both bat and ball

• Jasprit Bumrah: Key fast bowler

• Mohammed Siraj: Consistent pace bowler

• Prasidh Krishna or Arshdeep Singh: third seam bowling option

Interestingly, Meta AI picked Shardul Thakur as the all-rounder for the first Test match. During the unofficial matches against England Lions, Thakur was unimpressive, and Nitish Kumar Reddy produced some exciting numbers. But according to some media reports, Shardul showed his class during the intra-squad match. So, choosing a pace bowling all-rounder can be very tricky for the management. The same for the third seamer slot. Arshdeep or Prasidh? Even Meta AI has no exact answer for now.