London, June 11 -- India faces a severe challenge while trying to figure out its playing combination for the upcoming high-stakes Tests in England. One of Nitish Rddy and Shardul Thakur will be up for a place in the final XI for the first test at Headingley on June 20.

Nitish and Shardul were thrown into the playing XI for India A during both unofficial Tests against England Lions, and both all-rounders reaped mixed results across the two contests.

Considering the way Nitish was used, his role revolved primarily around being a batting all-rounder. He thrived in this role during his maiden Test assignment in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, where he played all five Tests.

However, after being exposed to English conditions, ...