Virat Kohli says he would have batted first "for sure", so that is an early advantage for England.

England captain Joe Root: "We want to get the best of the wicket. We think it will deteriorate and maybe go up and down for the pace bowlers as the game goes on. We want to make a big score and win the game that way.

"I do really enjoy playing cricket here. It holds a special place in my heart. It should be a really exciting series.

"It's going to be a different challenge from Sri Lanka, we're going to have play right up at our best, but we're looking forward to it."

Having said that, it is important to remember England's own form under Joe Root has been very impressive over the last 12 months.

They are now unbeaten in their last 10 Tests under his captaincy, and have won their last five overseas Tests for the first time since World War One.

The next five weeks is going to be a real challenge for England - this is their toughest time for some time.

Even if you ignore India's incredible home record, they are going off the back of one of the all-time great series wins in Australia so they are a side full of confidence.

Image source, BBC Sport

Over the last few years India have developed one of the best pace attacks in world cricket, to go alongside their dangerous spin attack.

Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav are both out injured, but Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma will still present plenty of danger.

Matt Henry - who will be joining you for the afternoon session - has found out a bit more about what makes them tick on and off the pitch.

Have a read.

Image source, BBC Sport

So, thoughts on those teams?

I'm a little surprised England haven't found a way to get Moeen Ali in their side. When I couldn't sleep last night I was running through the side in my head and I did wonder if they would dispense of Dom Bess or Jack Leach to get Moeen in, but they've decided against it.

There is hopefully plenty of runs in the side with Jos Buttler at seven.

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Shahbaz Nadeem.

England: Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Dan Lawrence, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler, Dom Bess, Jofra Archer, Jack Leach, James Anderson.

I'll bring you full team news in a minute but Dan Lawrence is batting at three for England, James Anderson gets the nod over Stuart Broad and there's no Moeen Ali.

After his heroics in Australia Washington Sundar plays for India.

Joe Root's 100th Test has got off to the perfect start. He calls correctly and chooses to bat first.

Now it's time for England to go and get 500.

Time to bring you news from the toss - I'm going to level with you, we can't see it with the TV coverage not starting till 03:45 so bear with us. We'll bring you news as and when we can.

Finding out how both teams line up will be interesting. England are without Zak Crawley, who was set to bat at three, after he slipped and injured his wrist outside the changing room earlier in the week. While India all-rounder Axar Patel has been ruled out of the first Test due to pain in his left knee. Shahbaz Nadeem and Rahul Chahar have been added to the squad.

Morning!

I say morning, is that right? Should it be night?

Are you ready for five weeks of high class, absorbing Test cricket?

Two down, 16 to go.

England's packed schedule of Test cricket in the next 12 months got off to the perfect start in Sri Lanka in January but this is where the challenge really begins.

Can they win in India? The next five weeks will be a real indicator of where this England side sit, and how much progress they've made under Joe Root and Chris Silverwood.