Watch: Rohit Sharma's press conference ahead of India vs England, 1st Test in Hyderabad

In a strategic contemplation on the eve of the first Test against England, India's captain Rohit Sharma shared insights into the selection dilemma faced by the team management regarding the choice of the third spinner. With the Test set to commence in Hyderabad, the team is inclined towards bolstering its spin arsenal, considering Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav as prime contenders alongside the seasoned duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

During the pre-match press conference, Rohit elaborated on the selection nuances, stating, "If the wicket has bounce or if it doesn't have bounce, he (Kuldeep) still is a factor in those types of conditions because he's got superb variations. Obviously, he is a very mature bowler now from what he was a few years back." This acknowledgment of Kuldeep's growth and skillset underscores the richness of India's spin resources.

Rohit further reflected on the hard reality of limited opportunities given the dominance of Ashwin and Jadeja, adding, "But yes, he's a very tempting option."

Despite not disclosing the final lineup, Rohit's remarks strongly indicated a preference for Axar Patel's inclusion, emphasizing his all-around capabilities.

"Axar, you know, with his all-round ability, gives us that batting depth. The consistency that he's shown, playing in these conditions in Test cricket, also is an important factor for us.

"But it was a headache to decide who it is going to be for us. But I am not going to say who it is," said Rohit.

The Indian captain also expressed his expectations from Ashwin, praising his consistent performance and contribution to the team over the years. "Ashwin, obviously, we know his class, we know his quality. Every time he plays the game for us, he tends to impress all of us by a notch (higher). We do appreciate that," Rohit noted, emphasizing the spinner's potential impact in the series.

As England prepare to use their dynamic 'Bazball' strategy, Rohit remains focused on India's game plan, stressing the importance of clarity, determination, and leveraging inherent strengths familiar to the Indian conditions. He advised against indecision, advocating for a fearless pursuit of individual game plans to navigate the pressures and challenges of Test cricket.

Kevin Pietersen's social media post goes viral after Ram Mandir's Pran Pratishtha Ceremony

(With PTI inputs)