England vs India Test Match Preview: Clash of Titans Marks Start of New WTC Cycle
Did you know this is the first time since 2011 that India will play a Test in England without either Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma in their ranks? The stage is set for a gripping contest as England host India at Headingley, Leeds, from June 20, 2025, marking the start of a fresh ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for both teams.
With new leadership, fresh faces, and high stakes, this series promises drama, resilience, and plenty of cricketing fireworks. Will England’s home dominance hold, or can India’s young brigade spring a surprise?
The much-anticipated five-match Test series between England and India begins at Headingley, Leeds, on June 20, 2025, and runs through to early August. This series is not just a battle for supremacy but also the first assignment for both sides in the new WTC 2025-27 cycle.
India, under new captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir, are entering a transitional phase. With the retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and the absence of Ravichandran Ashwin, the team is banking on its young talent to step up. England, led by Ben Stokes, are confident after a strong showing in recent white-ball series and are eager to assert their dominance at home.
Key Storylines
New Leadership and Transition
- India: Shubman Gill, at 25, is the youngest Indian Test captain in over a decade. His leadership will be tested in challenging English conditions, with Rishabh Pant as his deputy.
- England: Ben Stokes, the aggressive and innovative captain, continues to drive the Bazball revolution, aiming to unsettle India with his bold tactics.
Missing Legends
- India: The absence of Kohli, Sharma, and Ashwin leaves a void in experience and runs, but opens the door for fresh talent like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, and Karun Nair.
- England: While England’s core remains intact, they too are integrating new players, including Jamie Smith as wicketkeeper and Shoaib Bashir as their lead spinner.
Injury Updates
- India: Karun Nair suffered a rib injury in the nets but is expected to play, marking his return to Test cricket after eight years.
- England: The hosts are at full strength, with Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse returning from injury to bolster the pace attack.
Teams and Players to Watch
| Team | Key Players | Captain | Notable Absences/Returns |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir | Ben Stokes | — |
| India | Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav | Shubman Gill | Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin (retired) |
England’s Top Order: Crawley, Duckett, and Pope are in scintillating form, all having scored centuries in their last Test outing.
India’s Pace Battery: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and young Harshit Rana, who impressed in Australia, will lead the attack
Pitch and Conditions
Headingley is renowned for its pace and bounce, but chief curator Richard Robinson has prepared a surface expected to offer a fair contest between bat and ball. The first three days are forecast to be sunny and warm (around 29°C), with a chance of rain later in the match. First-innings scores around 300 are likely, and the pitch should flatten out as the game progresses.
Expert Predictions
- Nasser Hussain (Former England Captain): “England have a very good record at home, and India will miss the runs and experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. I’m going for 3-1 to England.”
- Matthew Hayden (Former Australia Opener): “If it’s green pitches, England might have a slight advantage. If the surfaces are flat, India have a great chance.”
- Deep Dasgupta (Former India Keeper): “England have the advantage, but it will be close. I’d say 3-2 to England.”
- Dale Steyn (Former South Africa Pacer): “England to win the series, but India will fight hard. 3-2 to England.”
Series Schedule
| Test | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | June 20–24 | Headingley, Leeds |
| 2nd | July 2–6 | Edgbaston, Birmingham |
| 3rd | July 10–14 | Lord’s, London |
| 4th | July 23–27 | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| 5th | July 31–August 4 | The Oval, London |