The iconic rivalry between India and England returns in the longest format as both teams gear up for the first Test of the five-match series starting June 20 at Headingley in Leeds. This series carries major significance as it marks the beginning of a new era for India with Shubman Gill leading the side for the first time and Gautam Gambhir taking charge as head coach. India will be without the services of legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have retired from international cricket. Their absence leaves a major gap in both experience and leadership. Adding to the concerns is the limited availability of Jasprit Bumrah, who has confirmed he will not feature in all five Tests due to workload concerns. On the other hand, England are expected to continue their fearless Bazball approach under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. With form and transition in focus, this series is a fantasy hotspot.
Match Details: When and Where to Watch IND vs ENG 1st Test
Match: India vs England, 1st Test
Date: 20th June 2025
Time: 3:30 PM IST
Venue: Headingley, Leeds
Format and Stage: Test Match – Part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 Cycle
Broadcast and Streaming Details: Fans in India can watch the match live on Sony Sports Ten 1 and Sony Sports Ten 5 TV channels. For online viewers, the match will be streamed live on JioCinema and Hotstar.
India Predicted Playing XI – Key Fantasy Picks
Predicted Playing XI:
KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammad Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah
Notes:
Rishabh Pant, India’s newly appointed vice captain, has confirmed he will bat at number 5, while skipper Shubman Gill will bat at number 4. KKR pacer Harshit Rana has been asked to stay back with the squad and may feature later in the series, depending on Bumrah’s availability.
Key Fantasy Picks:
Jasprit Bumrah – India’s pace spearhead with 205 wickets in 45 Tests. He is a proven match-winner who delivers breakthroughs even on flat tracks.
KL Rahul – Has scored 3257 runs in 58 Tests, including 8 centuries. Against England, he has 3 tons, 2 of which came in English conditions.
Rishabh Pant – A fearless batter with 2943 runs in 43 Tests and 6 hundreds. He has 2 centuries in England and is a high-impact fantasy pick.
England Playing XI – Key Fantasy Picks
Announced Playing XI:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir
Note:
Jacob Bethell has not been included in the XI, with Ollie Pope preferred at number three. Jamie Smith takes over the gloves as wicketkeeper, while Shoaib Bashir leads the spin department.
Key Fantasy Picks:
Joe Root: England’s most consistent performer against India with 2846 runs in 30 Tests. He averages 58 and has 10 centuries and 11 fifties to his name.
Chris Woakes: A true all-rounder with 181 wickets and 1970 runs in 51 Tests. A dependable fantasy option who contributes in both innings.
Shoaib Bashir – England’s key spin option with 58 wickets in just 16 matches. He can be a game changer if the pitch offers turn.
Dream11 Fantasy Tips – Must-Have Picks for Today
Top Batters for Dream11
KL Rahul – A seasoned performer with solid overseas credentials, Rahul has scored three Test centuries against England, including two in their own backyard.
Ben Duckett – An Aggressive top-order batter who fits perfectly into England’s Bazball style. Can provide quick runs and bonus points early on.
Differential Pick
Yashasvi Jaiswal – While not highly owned, Jaiswal has the ability to go big. His attacking mindset makes him a valuable Grand League punt.
Best All-Rounders to Boost Points
Ben Stokes – England’s captain is a fantasy favourite due to his all-round contributions. Whether it’s a counter-attacking knock or a key wicket, he delivers both.
Ravindra Jadeja – Reliable and consistent, Jadeja offers value with both bat and ball. His fielding alone can earn fantasy points in tight contests.
Bowlers to Watch in Dream11
Jasprit Bumrah – India’s strike bowler and a lethal option with the new ball. A must-have in any fantasy lineup, especially when reverse swing comes into play.
Chris Woakes – Conditions at Headingley suit his swing bowling. Also contributes with the bat, making him a high-return option.
Differential Pick
Josh Tongue – Not many will have him in their teams, but he can surprise with early breakthroughs, especially in helpful conditions.
Captain & Vice-Captain Picks
Small League Combos
Jasprit Bumrah (C), Joe Root (VC) – Safe bet with one lead bowler and a consistent top-order batter.
Ben Stokes (C), Chris Woakes (VC) – High involvement combo ideal for tight contests.
Grand League Combos
Rishabh Pant (C), Ben Duckett (VC): Risk-reward combo with explosive scoring potential.
Zak Crawley (C), Mohammad Siraj (VC): A bold pick duo that can help break away from the crowd.
India vs England Dream11 Team Today – Sample Fantasy XI
Small League (SL) Team
WK: Rishabh Pant
BAT: KL Rahul, Joe Root (C), Harry Brook, Ollie Pope
ALL: Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja
BOWL: Jasprit Bumrah, Chris Woakes, Shoaib Bashir, Prasidh Krishna
Budget Pick: Shoaib Bashir
Star Pick: Joe Root (C)
Note: Balanced SL team with safe picks. Bumrah, Stokes, and Root offer high consistency.
Grand League (GL) Team
WK: Jamie Smith
BAT: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill
ALL: Ben Stokes, Shardul Thakur
BOWL: Josh Tongue, Mohammad Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah (C), Shoaib Bashir
Differential Picks
Josh Tongue, Jamie Smith, Shardul Thakur
Note: Risk-heavy, reward-focused build with aggressive top-order picks.
Core Players to Retain Across Teams
No matter the platform or contest type, retain the core five:
Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ben Stokes, Ben Duckett.
Build the rest of your team around this trusted base.
Other Fantasy Platforms: My11Circle, MPL, Howzat Picks
On platforms like My11Circle, MPL, and Howzat, scoring is often influenced by strike rate, wicket-taking ability, and all-round impact. Since the Leeds surface and overcast conditions are likely to favour fast bowlers, stack your fantasy team with swing specialists like Jasprit Bumrah, Chris Woakes, and Mohammad Siraj. Retain a solid fantasy core of KL Rahul, Ben Stokes, Rishabh Pant, and Ben Duckett across platforms. Look for captain picks who can contribute in multiple departments. Stokes and Pant are ideal all-round value options on platforms that reward both strike and consistency.
My11Circle
More reward for all-rounders: prefer Jadeja and Thakur
C/VC Combo: Pant (C), Stokes (VC)
MPL
Batting bonus higher: focus on top order like Rahul, Duckett, Gill
C/VC Combo: Gill (C), Bumrah (VC)
Howzat
Bowling impact overscored: make sure to include Siraj, Woakes, and Bashir
C/VC Combo: Woakes (C), Pant (VC)
Scoring Note: Platforms vary on all-around multipliers and batting bonuses; check each app’s scoring chart before finalizing.
Pitch and Weather Report: Fantasy Impact
Headingley traditionally offers assistance to seamers with movement off the pitch and through the air, especially under cloudy skies. The pitch is expected to remain green early on, so batting could be challenging in the first two days. Overcast weather and low temperatures favour swing bowlers and early breakthroughs. With little spin on offer and rain unlikely, pacers are your best bet. For fantasy, load up on new ball bowlers, top-order batters who can survive the moving ball, and avoid spin-heavy combinations.
FAQs – Fantasy Tips for India vs England
Q1: Who is the best captain choice for Dream11 today?
Jasprit Bumrah is a top captaincy pick given the overcast, swing-friendly conditions at Headingley. Joe Root is another strong option, given his consistency and excellent record against India.
Q2: What are Dream11 GL strategy tips for today’s match?
Focus on picking differentials like Jamie Smith or Shardul Thakur and go heavy on pacers. To stand out, try unusual captain-vice captain combos, especially with players like Duckett or Siraj.
Q3: Who are the top budget fantasy picks for today?
Karun Nair offers stability in the middle order and can anchor if early wickets fall. Josh Tongue is a low-cost pacer who could thrive in cloudy Leeds conditions with an early swing.