England and India take on each other in a 5-match Test series, starting June 20 at Headingley in Leeds. England and India’s journey begins in the ICC World Test Championship 2025/27 cycle. This is a long series, and a sound start for either side will be massive. India must step up against a relatively weak England bowling attack as several bowlers are injured. For England, Headingley in Leeds is a stadium that has given them joy of late. Meanwhile, last time these two sides met here in 2021, India were trounced by an innings and 76 runs.
What is the Context of the IND vs ENG Match?
India are starting a new era under the newly appointed skipper Shubman Gill. Team India will hope to begin its transition well, with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma having retired last month. For England, Ben Stokes will want his side to dominate India and take the aggressive route. England have a solid batting line-up, and India’s strength is their bowling. So this calls for a massive contest between bat and ball.
Regarding the H2H record, England and India have met 136 times in Tests. England have won 51 games to India’s 36. Another 50 matches have been drawn. In 67 matches on English soil, England have claimed 36 wins, with India claiming nine victories. 22 games have been drawn. As per ESPNcricinfo, at Headingley in Leeds, the two teams have met 7 times. England have won 4 games to India’s two. One Test has been drawn.
On June 18, England announced their playing XI for the 1st Test, more than a day in advance. India will be planning and plotting to get the best side out with a blend of finesse.
The match will start at 3:30 pm IST.
England – Playing XI
As mentioned, England announced their playing XI on Thursday. Ollie Pope retained his place and will be batting at number three. Jacob Bethell missed out with Pope getting the nod. Brydon Carse also made a return to the side after the injury.
Zak Crawley: The English opener has been someone England have counted upon. He has scored 3023 runs from 54 matches (98 innings) at 31.48. Against India, Crawley has managed 562 runs at 31.22 (50s: 5). Crawley will need to be careful against Jasprit Bumrah, who has dismissed him 4 times.
Ben Duckett: He remains a dangerous prospect for India with his aggressive style and consistency. Duckett owns 2410 runs at 41.55. His strike rate is an impressive 86.78.
Ollie Pope: The experienced 27-year-old has played 56 Tests for England and has 3301 runs at 35.49. Notably, over 2000 of his runs have come at number three at 43.06.
Joe Root: He is the best bet and also the best batter by miles between the 2 teams. Root has smashed 13006 runs in Tests at 50.80. Root has 2848 runs versus India at 58.08.
Harry Brook: The right-handed batter adds stability and finesse in the ranks at number 5 for England. With an average of 58-plus in Tests, Brook remains a vital cog in the middle order.
Ben Stokes (captain): The all-rounder’s presence is a huge lift for the Three Lions. Stokes is a sheer fighter and entertainer. He has 6728 runs at 35-plus and also owns 213 scalps with the ball.
Jamie Smith (wk): He can be a match-winner for England at number 7. Smith can tear into bowlers, and his average of 42.73 reads well.
Chris Woakes: A veteran of 6740 First-Class runs and 617 wickets, all-rounder Woakes leads the England bowling attack without other regulars.
Brydon Carse: He returns to the Test fold after an injury. Carse owns promising numbers for England – 27 wickets at an average of 19-plus.
Josh Tongue: He will fill in as the third pacer alongside Woakes and Carse. He has 196 wickets in FC cricket, with 12 coming for England from three games.
Shoaib Bashir: The lone spinner in this England side, Shoaib Bashir, has 58 scalps at 36.39. Across 12 home innings, he owns 24 wickets.
Player to watch out for (Joe Root): The star batter is our Player to watch out for. He can rip this Indian side apart with his consistency in the format and heavy run-scoring. Root averages 54.77 in home Tests.
Predicted India Playing XI
India will need to decide on a few players. Should they add a 2nd spinner in Kuldeep Yadav? Who will get the nod as pace all-rounder between Shardul Thakur and Nitish Reddy? Who is their number three batter?
Yashasvi Jaiswal: This is his first tour of England. The youngster, who is a promising figure, will be tested immensely. He showed character in India’s tour Down Under.
KL Rahul: The star, versatile batter who scores quality runs, showed pedigree for India A versus England Lions. He will need to blunt the new ball and has a role to play in terms of spending as much time as possible.
Abhimanyu Easwaran: The India A captain and Ranji star played both games against England Lions and hit two fifties across 4 innings. Generally, an opener, Easwaran, deserves his due for making his India debut.
Shubman Gill (captain): India’s new Test captain, Shubman Gill, will replace Virat Kohli at number 4. Generally, a top-order batter, how Gill adapts remains to be seen. He hasn’t done well in SENA nations, which will be challenging.
Rishabh Pant (wk): He is India’s best batter, and what Pant has done is he has the runs to back his pedigree in both England and Australia. A big series awaits Pant.
Karun Nair: A double-century for India A versus England Lions after a dominant season in domestic cricket makes Karun Nair a solid bet. He can bat at several positions, but India could use his substance at 6.
Ravindra Jadeja: India’s spin face and quality option with the bat at 7 is Ravindra Jadeja. Of late, he has shown a lot of character with the bat, and he can form partnerships.
Shardul Thakur: One feels Thakur will get the nod ahead of Reddy. The former is more of a potent 4th seamer and can chip in with the bat if needed.
Mohammed Siraj: The right-arm pacer must have a vital series and take wickets. He has to start well, and Headingley could be the place.
Jasprit Bumrah: The senior Indian pacer is expected to play 3 Tests out of the five. Gill needs to use Bumrah well and not overload him. Bumrah is India’s match-winner and the best bowler in this series.
Prashidh Krishna: After a sound IPL and a neat show in the final Test of the BGT Down Under, Krishna is likely to get the nod ahead of Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep.
Player to watch out for (Karun Nair): Nair will be raring to start well after making a comeback to the Indian side after many years. He has been a shrewd performer, and his attitude is top-notch.
Pitch Report & Venue Conditions
Batting here will get better as the game progresses. With England having a dry summer this year, a lot of water has been injected into the surface. The captain winning the toss could choose to field first, as the pitch will only improve and flatten out, helping batsmen.
Match Prediction – Who Has the Upper Hand?
England have done well at Headingley recently, and India could be slow starters, meaning Stokes’ men hold the edge. However, England’s batting could make the difference.
FAQs About ENG vs IND Playing 11
Who is not playing in the ENG vs IND clash?
Jacob Bethell has been left out by England for Ollie Pope. Sam Cook and Jamie Overton have also been left out in favour of Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue.