England will be looking at their seam options closely over the next few days due to fitness concerns over vice-captain Stuart Broad and Steve Finn.
But having taken 64 championship wickets at under 15 each in county cricket this year, Onions feels it won't just be down to injuries if he is picked in Ahmedabad next week.
"I'd like to think (with) what I've done in county cricket that I've deserved to be on this tour," he said.
"So if I do play in the first Test, I wouldn't necessarily say it's because of injuries.
"I'd like to think I've done enough to give the captain and coach a headache."