India will start their first Test match against England on January 25, but they will be without the services of Virat Kohli for the first two Tests due to personal reasons. With Kohli's absence, many are wondering who will replace him in the Indian team.

One possible option is Shreyas Iyer, who has shown incredible prowess against spin bowling. Another candidate could be KL Rahul, who has the ability to bat in the No. 4 position depending on the conditions and match situation.

In terms of the bowling combination, England has named three spinners in their XI. This has led to speculation that India may also choose to go with a similar strategy. However, it would be a bold call, considering the impressive performances of pacers Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, and Jasprit Bumrah in the second Test against South Africa.

If India does decide to bowl with two pacers, the choice will likely come down to Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. India captain Rohit Sharma has mentioned that Kuldeep is a tempting choice, but Axar Patel provides batting depth in case things go wrong at the top.

Overall, India's combination for the first Test match against England remains a question mark. The absence of Virat Kohli creates an opportunity for other players to step up and make their mark in the team.