Team India kicks off their much-anticipated five-Test series against England on June 20 at Headingley, in a clash that signifies both transition and opportunity. With the recent retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin, India embarks on a new chapter under Shubman Gill’s leadership, supported by head coach Gautam Gambhir.
India’s Predicted XI for 1st Test
- Openers: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan (debut)
- Middle-order: Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wk)
- All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur
- Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav
Gill, India’s youngest Test captain since Sachin Tendulkar, will have to navigate the tricky conditions of England with a squad high on talent but short on experience in overseas red-ball cricket.
Head-to-Head in Tests
- Total Tests Played: 136
- India Wins: 35
- England Wins: 51
- Draws: 50
In England, out of 67 matches:
- England Wins: 36
- India Wins: 9
- Draws: 22
India came close in 2021–22, leading 2–1 before Covid-19 postponed the final Test. England bounced back in 2022 to draw the series 2–2 with a record chase.
Top Run Scorers in IND vs ENG Tests
- Joe Root (ENG) – 2846 runs
- Sachin Tendulkar (IND) – 2535 runs
- Sunil Gavaskar (IND) – 2483 runs
- Alastair Cook (ENG) – 2431 runs
- Virat Kohli (IND) – 1991 runs
Top Wicket-Takers in IND vs ENG Tests
- James Anderson (ENG) – 149 wickets
- Ravichandran Ashwin (IND) – 114 wickets
- B. Chandrashekhar (IND) – 95 wickets
- Anil Kumble (IND) – 92 wickets
- Bishan Singh Bedi (IND) – 85 wickets
None of the active players in either squad currently feature in the top 5 of this list, making room for new heroes to emerge.
Final Word
As England continues its bold Bazball approach under Stokes and McCullum, India faces a true test of its rebuilding phase. With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj leading the attack and Pant’s return behind the stumps, all eyes will be on how Gill and Gambhir’s vision plays out in this crucial opener.
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