Few clashes in world cricket ignite as much excitement and drama as a Test series between England and India. This encounter promises high stakes, fierce competition, and rich narratives both on and off the field. Even without the likes of modern-day legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the series opener at Headingley is set to deliver gripping cricket and plenty of fireworks.
While India remain the dominant force in the limited-overs formats, their recent form in Tests has been patchy. A humbling 3-0 home defeat to New Zealand, followed by a 3-1 loss in Australia, has raised questions about their red-ball resilience ahead of this tough away challenge.
This series also kicks off the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle (2025–2027), a clean slate and a vital opportunity for both sides to stake an early claim. For England, beating India would be a statement of intent ahead of the upcoming Ashes while finally launching a strong WTC campaign after missing out on the final in the three previous editions. Crucially, the Tendulkar–Anderson Trophy deserves to be seen as far more than just an Ashes “warm-up” — it stands on its own as a fiercely competitive and high-stakes contest.
India’s search for a Test series win on English soil has remained unfulfilled since 2007. Since then, they have suffered defeats in 2011, 2014, and 2018, with their most recent tour in 2021 ending in a dramatic 2–2 draw. That series was abruptly halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with India leading 2–1, only to be concluded in July 2022. The decider in Birmingham saw England pull off a stunning fourth-innings chase of 378 in under 80 overs, a defining moment of the Bazball era and a striking display of their aggressive new Test approach. Now, following India’s commanding 4–1 home series win in 2023–24, England will be eager to hit back. After all, the Three Lions have endured three heavy defeats on the spin in Indian conditions.
England’s fearless approach is reflected in the numbers: nine of the top ten fastest-scoring partnerships in Test cricket since June 2022 belong to English pairs, and their run rate of 4.63 runs per over under Bazball is unmatched globally. But with this high-octane style comes high stakes. The pressure will be immense, especially on Ben Stokes, whose captaincy may ultimately be judged by the outcomes of this series and the Ashes later in the year.
What lies ahead is more than just a cricket series; it’s a clash of philosophies, legacies, and ambitions. Get ready for a captivating battle between two cricketing heavyweights, where every session could shape history.
Ones to Watch
England
Since the birth of ‘Bazball’ in that landmark home series against New Zealand in June 2022, England have been on a thrilling red-ball resurgence. Under the aggressive leadership of Ben Stokes and the fearless mindset instilled by Brendon McCullum, the Three Lions have won eight of their last 12 Test series, transforming their fortunes and redefining how Test cricket can be played.
One of the more unexpected beneficiaries of the Bazball revolution? Joe Root. Initially seen as the least ‘Bazball’ of England’s core players — not for a lack of talent, but simply because of his classical, composed style — Root has fully embraced the new approach. Since that New Zealand series, the former captain has piled on a staggering 3,117 runs in 36 Tests at an average of 56.7, more than any batter in world cricket in that period. He’s also notched up 11 centuries, another world-leading stat, to be named No. 1 in the Men’s Test Batting Rankings.
Root is the fifth-highest run-getter in Test history with 13006 runs in 153 Tests. A decent series against India, and he could surpass Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting to move to number 2 on the list, only behind Sachin Tendulkar. Root may not play with the same swashbuckling flair as others in the lineup, but his consistency and ability to adapt have made him the linchpin of England’s batting order. For India, there’s no bigger wicket to claim — stop Root, and you take out the spine of England’s engine room.
Harry Brook heads into this series brimming with confidence, fresh off leading England to back-to-back white-ball clean sweeps over the West Indies in his debut outings as ODI and T20 captain. Now, his focus shifts back to the red-ball game, and while he had a relatively quiet showing in England’s one-off Test against Zimbabwe in May (overshadowed by centuries from the top three), Brook’s overall Test numbers remain nothing short of elite.
In just 25 matches, Brook has amassed 2,339 runs at an eye-catching average of 58.47, including eight centuries. His explosive start to Test cricket briefly saw him dethrone Root as England’s No. 1 ranked batter during the New Zealand series, a position Root soon reclaimed.
What makes Brook so dangerous is his range: he can absorb pressure when the team’s on the ropes. He can flip a session in an hour. He can launch sixes straight back over your head or scoop them over the keeper’s. He handles spin and seam with equal confidence, and he does it all with swagger and authority. Brook is the embodiment of the Bazball era, and if he catches fire in this series, India’s bowlers will have their hands full.
For many, the opening partnership of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett feels like England’s most stable since the days of Cook and Strauss. Crawley endured a patchy run of form, particularly against New Zealand and in the County Championship, while Duckett thrived across formats. Their commanding 264-run stand against Zimbabwe in May, however, provided a much-needed boost — especially for Crawley — ahead of the stern test India’s bowlers will pose.
With contrasting styles — Crawley’s long levers and fluent strokeplay complementing Duckett’s busy, assertive approach — they offer England a well-balanced foundation that could be crucial in this high-stakes series.
Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes are expected to share the new ball for England. Woakes has been in exceptional form, taking 51 wickets in his last 12 Tests at an impressive average of 21.88. Meanwhile, Carse has made a huge impact since his debut against Pakistan in Multan last year, claiming 27 wickets in just 5 Tests at a remarkable average of 19.85.
On the spin front, Shoaib Bashir continues to turn heads, becoming the youngest England spinner to reach 50 Test wickets during the recent match against Zimbabwe. He also notched his first six-wicket haul in the format in that one-off match, proving to be a vital weapon in England’s bowling arsenal.
India
The key batter for India will be KL Rahul, who famously scored the match-winning century at Lord’s in 2021. He arrived in ominous form during the recent England Lions series in Northampton, where he hammered 116 off 168 balls at an impressive average of 69.08 on a tricky pitch that offered some assistance to the bowlers.
Yashasvi Jaiswal heads into the England series as a key figure in India’s lineup. In just his third Test series, he dominated England’s attack, taking on James Anderson, hitting two double-centuries, and smashing 32 sixes. What impressed Rahul Dravid most was not just the runs but Jaiswal’s ability to read conditions and adapt, shifting gears between aggression and defence, adjusting technique as needed. “That’s a really good trait,” Dravid noted, praising his maturity.
This tour will further test that adaptability. In Australia, after being exposed by Mitchell Starc, Jaiswal quickly tweaked his setup and thrived, finishing as India’s second-highest run scorer. With 14 fifty-plus scores in 19 Tests at strike rates ranging from 40 to 141, he’s shown rare versatility. With no Kohli or Rohit and Bumrah likely playing only part of the series, Jaiswal will be central to India’s chances. Whether it’s countering movement or cashing in on flat tracks, his ability to adjust could define India’s campaign.
New captain Shubman Gill has been described as a blend of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, a comparison made by his Gujarat Titans teammate, Jos Buttler, on the ‘For the Love of Cricket’ podcast. Taking on the crucial number four spot, Gill combines Kohli’s intensity and aggression with Rohit’s calm, composed demeanour, a balance that shapes his elegant yet assertive style.
Despite his electrifying form in the IPL, Gill struggled to convert starts on the challenging Australia tour, with a highest score of just 31. Now, with the added responsibility of captaincy, expect a fire in his belly and a strong desire to make more meaningful contributions with the bat.
Jasprit Bumrah will spearhead India’s fast bowling unit. He was sensational during the 2021 England tour, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 23 wickets at an average of 22.47. Bumrah also topped the wicket charts in the recent Australia series, and it was his unfortunate back spasm during the Sydney Test that severely dented India’s chances of securing a result. Interestingly enough, Bumrah’s Test bowling average of 19.4 is the best ever in Test history for all bowlers who have played a minimum of 30 matches and picked at least 150 wickets.
Alongside Bumrah, the impressive Prasidh Krishna—one of the standout fast bowlers of the 2025 IPL—should slot in as the third seamer. Adding balance and experience, the ever-reliable Ravindra Jadeja is expected to be the lone spinner, at least for the series opener at Leeds.
1st Test Team news
England
1. Zak Crawley, 2. Ben Duckett, 3. Ollie Pope, 4. Joe Root, 5. Harry Brook, 6. Jamie Smith, 7. Ben Stokes, 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Brydon Carse, 10. Josh Tongue, 11. Shoaib Bashir
India (likely line-up)
1. KL Rahul, 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3. Sai Sudharsan, 4. Shubman Gill, 5. Rishabh Pant, 6. Karun Nair, 7 Nitish Reddy, 8. Ravindra Jadeja, 9. Mohammed Siraj, 10. Prasidh Krishna, 11. Jasprit Bumrah
How the squads shape up
England squad for the first test against India: Ben Stokes (C), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
India’s updated squad for the first Test: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana.
Match-Up Insights: India vs England
KL Rahul vs Chris Woakes: Rahul has played four innings against Woakes, scoring 34 runs at an average of 34 with only one dismissal. This relatively small sample indicates Rahul has managed Woakes well so far.
Shubman Gill vs Shoaib Bashir: Gill’s record against Bashir is impressive, averaging 62.5 across five innings with only two dismissals. This dominance suggests Gill has found a strong rhythm against the young spinner, making Bashir a bowler who will need to find new strategies to claim the captain’s wicket.
Joe Root vs Jasprit Bumrah: With 24 innings against Bumrah, Root has accumulated 286 runs at an average of 31.77 and nine dismissals. This shows Root has been fairly successful but has also fallen regularly, indicating a competitive tussle where Bumrah has posed a consistent challenge to England’s linchpin.
Ben Stokes vs Ravindra Jadeja: Stokes has scored 125 runs in 19 innings against Jadeja, averaging 20.8 with six dismissals. The relatively lower average suggests Jadeja has had the upper hand, often troubling Stokes and making this an intriguing duel between two influential all-rounders.
Barmy Army prediction
Historically, England have held the upper hand over India in home conditions, thanks largely to their mastery of the swinging Duke’s ball and India’s well-documented struggles with it. The visitors arrive without two of their biggest names, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, while England come in confident after a resounding win over Zimbabwe.
But this is not the same old India. Under the fresh leadership of Gill, a new era is beginning — one fuelled by form, not legacy. There is a clear hunger to bounce back from recent humblings against New Zealand and Australia, and with exciting talent across the squad, this Indian side cannot be written off or treated as an Ashes “warm-up”.
KL Rahul is in the form of his life. Yashasvi Jaiswal is electric at the top. Rishabh Pant brings the X-factor in the middle. And with Jasprit Bumrah — arguably the best bowler in the world — leading the attack, India certainly have the firepower to challenge.
That said, the inexperience in India’s middle order could prove costly in tight sessions. England, backed by home conditions and the Bazball blueprint, have the depth and momentum to edge this.
Prediction: England to win a fiercely contested series 3-2.
Match Details
- 1st Test: Friday, 20 June, 11:00 PM – Headingley, Leeds
- 2nd Test: Wednesday, 2 July, 11:00 PM – Edgbaston, Birmingham
- 3rd Test: Thursday, 10 July, 11:00 PM – Lords, London
- 4th Test: Wednesday, 23 July, 11:00 PM – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
- 5th Test: Thursday, 31 July, 11:00 PM – Kennington Oval, London
Weather Watch
Day One at Headingley looks set to begin under clear skies, with plenty of sunshine and a pleasant 20°C at the start of play, climbing to a high of around 27°C by mid-afternoon — perfect conditions for batting.
From Day Two onwards, conditions are expected to become more overcast and cooler, though not dramatically so. While cloud cover could assist the seamers, there’s no significant rain forecast, so we should see uninterrupted play throughout the first Test.
ARTICLE WRITTEN BY JOE TURNER.
