England vs India: Anticipation Builds for the 1st Test at Headingley
Match Overview
The first Test of the five-match series between England and India is set to take place at Headingley, Leeds, from June 20 to June 24, 2025, starting at 3:30 PM IST.
England's Squad Insights
Under the leadership of Ben Stokes, England is eager to embark on a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, aiming to improve upon their previous two disappointing campaigns. The team boasts a strong seam attack led by veteran Chris Woakes, supported by Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue, along with Stokes himself. The squad includes spinner Shoaib Bashir to add variety. Opening the innings will be Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, while Ollie Pope steps in at number three, replacing Jacob Bethell. The batting lineup is further bolstered by seasoned players Joe Root and Ben Stokes.
India's Challenge
India enters this series following a loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Despite having a chance to reach the WTC final for the third consecutive time, they fell short. Now, with Shubman Gill as captain and Rishabh Pant as vice-captain, India faces the challenge of playing in England without the experienced Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom have retired. Jasprit Bumrah will lead the bowling attack, accompanied by Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.
Pitch Conditions at Headingley
The pitch at Headingley is known to favor fast bowlers, particularly those who can deliver good length bouncers with extra pace. Batters may find it challenging, especially in the first session. Teams batting first can expect significant assistance for their seamers. Historically, the venue has hosted 84 Test matches, with the first innings average total being 277, which rises to 377 in the second innings.
Weather Forecast
The weather looks promising for the first Test, with no rain expected initially. However, light drizzles may occur on the fourth or fifth day. Temperatures are anticipated to range from a high of 28°C to a low of 15°C.
Head-to-Head Record
| ENG vs IND Head-to-Head (in Tests) | |
| Matches Played | 136 |
| Won by England | 51 |
| Won by India | 36 |
| No Result | 0 |
| Drawn | 50 |
Predicted Playing XI
- England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir.
- India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj.
Key Players to Watch
Top Wicketkeeper
- Rishabh Pant | IND: A key player for India, Pant is just 52 runs shy of reaching 3000 Test runs and has six centuries to his name. His experience on English pitches will be invaluable.
Top Batters
- Joe Root | ENG: As England's leading run-scorer, Root has amassed over 13,000 runs in 153 Tests, including 36 centuries. His consistent performance makes him a must-pick.
- KL Rahul | IND: Rahul has a solid record against England, scoring 955 runs in 24 innings at an average of 39.8, including three centuries. His experience will be crucial for India.
Top All-Rounders
- Ben Stokes | ENG: The English captain is known for his match-winning abilities, contributing both with bat and ball. He has scored 6728 runs and taken 213 wickets in 111 Tests.
- Shardul Thakur | IND: Thakur has proven his worth with 331 runs and 31 wickets in 11 Tests, making him a valuable asset in crucial moments.
Top Bowlers
- Chris Woakes | ENG: With 181 wickets in 57 Tests, Woakes is a seasoned pacer and a vital part of England's bowling attack.
- Jasprit Bumrah | IND: Renowned for his match-winning capabilities, Bumrah has taken 205 wickets in 45 Tests, making him essential for India's bowling lineup.