The five-match Test series between India and England begins on June 20, 2025, at Headingley, Leeds. The match starts at 3:30 PM IST and marks the opening fixture of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle for both teams.
Match Overview
India travels to England with a young core and a few familiar faces returning to the longest format. England, playing at home, will aim to start strong with their experienced Test lineup. Historically, the hosts have the edge, winning 51 out of 135 previous matches against India. India has claimed 35 wins, while 50 matches ended in draws.
Match Details
- Venue: Headingley, Leeds
- Date & Time: June 20, 2025, 3:30 PM IST
- Weather Forecast: Overcast, 28°C
- Pitch Report: Balanced surface, pace-friendly early on
- Average 1st Innings Score: 205
- Chasing Record: Teams chasing have won 80% of matches here
Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 135
- England Wins: 51
- India Wins: 35
- Draws: 50
Predicted XIs of India vs England
India:
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudharsan
- Karun Nair
- Rishabh Pant (vc & wk)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Kuldeep Yadav
England:
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Chris Woakes
- Josh Tongue
- Brydon Carse
- Shoaib Bashir
India vs England: Key Players and Fantasy Picks
Top Captaincy Choices
- Joe Root: Experienced middle-order batter; reliable in English conditions.
- Ben Duckett: Aggressive left-handed opener; good record at home.
Strong Vice-Captaincy Options
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: Promising Indian opener with solid recent form.
- Jasprit Bumrah: India’s main pace threat; effective with the new ball in English conditions.
Budget Picks
- Harry Brook: Middle-order batter with ability to score quickly.
- Ravindra Jadeja: Offers value with both bat and ball.
Players to Avoid
- Zak Crawley: Inconsistent form in recent Tests.
- Dhruv Jurel: Unlikely to feature in playing XI.
Fantasy Team Predictions
Team 1:
- Keepers: Rishabh Pant, Jamie Smith
- Batters: Joe Root (c), Ben Duckett, Yashasvi Jaiswal (vc), KL Rahul
- All-rounders: Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja, Jacob Bethell
- Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Chris Woakes
Team 2:
- Keepers: Rishabh Pant
- Batters: Joe Root, Ben Duckett (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul
- All-rounders: Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja, Jacob Bethell
- Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Brydon Carse, Chris Woakes
Strategy and Tips
- Choose a mix of pacers from both sides, considering Headingley’s pace-friendly conditions.
- Include a minimum of two experienced batters from the host nation.
- Balance the squad with at least one all-rounder from each side.
Prediction
Considering the conditions and home advantage, England holds a slight edge for the first Test. India, however, has the talent to challenge them if their top order sets a strong platform and targets England’s relatively inexperienced bowling attack.
