England vs India | 1st Test | Headingley | June 20-24 | Pre-Match Discussion

[The Bald Eagle]

England vs India 1st Test Preview – 2025

The iconic England vs India Test rivalry resumes with the first match of a five-Test series starting June 20, 2025, at Headingley, Leeds. This series, for the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, marks a new era for both sides, with significant changes in leadership and squad composition.

Key Storylines

New Captains and Fresh Leadership:

India enters a rebuilding phase after the Test retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill takes over as captain, with Rishabh Pant as vice-captain, signaling a generational shift. For England, Ben Stokes continues to lead, but the bowling attack is without stalwarts James Anderson and Stuart Broad, both retired.

Recent Form and Historical Context:

England are riding high at Headingley, having won their last five Tests at the venue, including a memorable Ashes victory in 2023. They also thrashed India by an innings at Leeds in 2021. India, meanwhile, have struggled in England historically, winning only three series there in over a century (1971, 1986, 2007), each time under a new captain—a parallel not lost on observers as Gill leads for the first time.

Squad News and Selection Dilemmas:

England’s bowling attack is notably inexperienced, with Mark Wood injured, Jofra Archer unavailable, and Gus Atkinson out for the first Test. Veterans like Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes will shoulder extra responsibility. For India, the focus is on managing Jasprit Bumrah’s workload, with some experts suggesting he could be rested for the opener to maximize his impact later in the series

 

[The Bald Eagle]

@Devadwal who is favorite in first Test? Normally England didn't do well at Lords and 1st Test against Big sides

 

[Devadwal]

@Devadwal who is favorite in first Test? Normally England didn't do well at Lords and 1st Test against Big sides

England . India test batting line-up is full of youngster apart from KL Rahul.

But GOAT Bumrah can win the match for india if our batters score 300+

jaiswal
KL
Sai
Gill( C)
Pant ( Wk)
Karun Nair
Jadeja
Thakur
Bumrah
Siraj
Arshdeep/ Prasidh/ Akashdeep

This is likely playing eleven for the 1st test.

MY playing Eleven Won't have any place for Thakur and jadeja. I want proper 5 bowlers ( 4 Pacers + Kuldeep)

 

[The Bald Eagle]

England . India test batting line-up is full of youngster apart from KL Rahul.

But GOAT Bumrah can win the match for india if our batters score 300+

jaiswal
KL
Sai
Gill( C)
Pant ( Wk)
Karun Nair
Jadeja
Thakur
Bumrah
Siraj
Arshdeep/ Prasidh/ Akashdeep

This is likely playing eleven for the 1st test.

MY playing Eleven Won't have any place for Thakur and jadeja. I want proper 5 bowlers ( 4 Pacers + Kuldeep)

Siraj would be way better than Arshdeep here

 

[Devadwal]

Siraj would be way better than Arshdeep here

Bumrah and Siraj place are fixed . Arshdeep/ Prasidh/ akashdeep are fighting for the 3rd Pacer place.

 

[cricfan432]

If pitch is like Wtc final, team batting first will win, but england might go for flat pitch altogether

 

[sweep_shot]

I am expecting England to go up 1-0.

 

[mominsaigol]

I am expecting England to go up 1-0.

Bro, I love you, but you and Mamoon should stop making predictions.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Gill looks too inexperience for this...but sometimes all that matter is the squad strength not captain
====

 

[neonoir]

It's a shame Atkinson isn't playing the first test he would have ripped apart the Indians especially at Headingley.

England should get Jimmy Anderson out of retirement for this series he would have turned the "prince" into the pauper

 

[Ab Fan]

We are a mediocre cricket team. We are not good enough.

 

[Hitman]

I am expecting England to go up 1-0.

I thank you with all my heart. Indian team and fans needed that.

 

[sweep_shot]

It's a shame Atkinson isn't playing the first test he would have ripped apart the Indians especially at Headingley.

England should get Jimmy Anderson out of retirement for this series he would have turned the "prince" into the pauper

I think Anderson should've continued to play home Tests. He is still in a pretty good shape.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

I think Anderson should've continued to play home Tests. He is still in a pretty good shape.

I was amazed to see his impressive figures in recent Vitality blast T20s...ECB should have let him go past Shane Warne...But with Kohli (his bunny) gone, Anderson would have uninterested anyway

 

[sweep_shot]

I was amazed to see his impressive figures in recent Vitality blast T20s...ECB should have let him go past Shane Warne...But with Kohli (his bunny) gone, Anderson would have uninterested anyway

Yup. Still bowling great at the age of 42. Inspirational.

He was 4 wickets short from equalling Warne.

 

[kron]

I am expecting England to go up 1-0.

It’s great to see your predictions.

 

[sweep_shot]

I thank you with all my heart. Indian team and fans needed that.

It’s great to see your predictions.

LOL.

You lot are acting like all of my predictions are wrong.

I called it right during the 2023 WC final as well as last BGT. India lost both.

 

[neonoir]

I think Anderson should've continued to play home Tests. He is still in a pretty good shape.

I think the initial plan for him was to play this series and then retire after the Ashes.

But Baz and Stokes forced him out I think that decision will come back to bite them especially considering his record against India at home.

A lot of Indians especially on here feel that they don't have a chance but believe me England are significantly weaker then previous tours.

No Atkinson, Wood or Archer, India have a chance to win but depends on the batting and Bumrah

 

[sweep_shot]

I think the initial plan for him was to play this series and then retire after the Ashes.

But Baz and Stokes forced him out I think that decision will come back to bite them especially considering his record against India at home.

A lot of Indians especially on here feel that they don't have a chance but believe me England are significantly weaker then previous tours.

No Atkinson, Wood or Archer, India have a chance to win but depends on the batting and Bumrah

I think they should call Anderson back for this series. I expect Anderson to toy with Indian batters in English conditions.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

I think the initial plan for him was to play this series and then retire after the Ashes.

But Baz and Stokes forced him out I think that decision will come back to bite them especially considering his record against India at home.

A lot of Indians especially on here feel that they don't have a chance but believe me England are significantly weaker then previous tours.

No Atkinson, Wood or Archer, India have a chance to win but depends on the batting and Bumrah

England's only strength is their batting now

 

[mominsaigol]

England's only strength is their batting now

This whole series will be about whether England can outbat and kill them with scoreboard pressure.

It should be possible. Ignore bumrah and mauled everyone like no tmr

 

[Ball Blazer]

Harshit Rana retained in England as unofficial backup​

Harishit Rana, who has been retained in England, is only an unofficial member of the Indian squad as of now. A top Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official has confirmed to Cricbuzz that Rana is staying with the Indian team as a cover for a few players who apparently are having a few niggles. He has still not been, officially, co-opted into the squad.

Who are the players with niggles has not been disclosed, but it has been confirmed to this website that Rana (23), who has featured in two Tests, five ODIs and one T20I, has been retained only as a back-up. He travelled with the Indian team to Leeds, the venue of the first Test, on Tuesday (June 17) from London on Tuesday (June 17).

"Please don't count him as an official member of the squad as yet," the official said.

In the 18-member Shubman Gill-led touring squad, there are five like-for-like specialist fast bowlers - Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh - and two pace-bowling all-rounders - Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur.

Rana was part of the India A squad which played two matches against England Lions and was involved in an intra-squad match in Beckenham recently. The other members of the India team are believed to have been on their way back home.

 

[Hitman]

LOL.

You lot are acting like all of my predictions are wrong.

I called it right during the 2023 WC final as well as last BGT. India lost both.

You predict India to lose every match/series/tournament. Of course some of them will come true since no team can win everything they play.​

 

[Hitman]

Coming to the point, I don't see India winning the series.

 

[kron]

LOL.

You lot are acting like all of my predictions are wrong.

I called it right during the 2023 WC final as well as last BGT. India lost both.

Yes you are the greatest I have ever seen.

 

[Vikram1989]

As per cricinfo, one of of the pacer is having niggles and rana was asked to stay.i guess it is akashdeep.pitch will be flat after first session.

 

[Devadwal]

I was amazed to see his impressive figures in recent Vitality blast T20s...ECB should have let him go past Shane Warne...But with Kohli (his bunny) gone, Anderson would have uninterested anyway

Kohli scored 305 runs off Anderson at an average of 43.57, with the England seamer dismissing him 7 times..

Kane Williamson averaged just 18.44 against Anderson with 9 dismissed

Smith was dismissed by Anderson 8th time

 

[kron]

As per cricinfo, one of of the pacer is having niggles and rana was asked to stay.i guess it is akashdeep.pitch will be flat after first session.

How is this akashdeeo so unfit fml

So careless
No accountability.

One job to stay fit

 

[mominsaigol]

Kohli scored 305 runs off Anderson at an average of 43.57, with the England seamer dismissing him 7 times..

Kane Williamson averaged just 18.44 against Anderson with 9 dismissed

Smith was dismissed by Anderson 8th time

Kohli avg 46 in test, doesnt even have 10K runs, had an embarassing test retirement to the point that his fans started to shift goalposts to RCB victory .

Meanwhile smith reached 10K runs, avg 56, 36 test centuries, avg 40+ in every country that hes played 5 or more test games in, (2nd only to achieve this after Sachin),

Avg 65 in prime compared to Kohli avg 55 in prime, Top scored and led the run charts for 8 years with the highest peak avg of 86.

Kohli and Rohit are also single handidely responsible for ending India's unbeaten home streak since their inclusion meant that NZ only had to get 5-6 wickets to win, the tail + Rohit and Kohli were their to entertain

 

[Vikram1989]

How is this akashdeeo so unfit fml

So careless
No accountability.

One job to stay fit

He is a serious age fudger i think.he played 1 match in aus tour and injured for 3 months.in ipl, he played for 2 matches and again injury.srems to be on deepak chahar line.

 

[Devadwal]

Kohli avg 46 in test, doesnt even have 10K runs, had an embarassing test retirement to the point that his fans started to shift goalposts to RCB victory .

Meanwhile smith reached 10K runs, avg 56, 36 test centuries, avg 40+ in every country that hes played 5 or more test games in, (2nd only to achieve this after Sachin),

Avg 65 in prime compared to Kohli avg 55 in prime, Top scored and led the run charts for 8 years with the highest peak avg of 86.

Kohli and Rohit are also single handidely responsible for ending India's unbeaten home streak since their inclusion meant that NZ only had to get 5-6 wickets to win, the tail + Rohit and Kohli were their to entertain

Atleast read which post I quote. @The Bald Eagle said Kohli is bunny of Anderson but I showed him the reality. Lol

 

[mominsaigol]

Atleast read which post I quote. @The Bald Eagle said Kohli is bunny of Anderson but I showed him the reality. Lol

Kohli bullied anderson in the past when he avg 55. If he were to face anderson in 2023-2024, he'd get mauled.

 

[Devadwal]

Kohli bullied anderson in the past when he avg 55. If he were to face anderson in 2023-2024, he'd get mauled.

Could have, should have lol

 

[MP2011]

You predict India to lose every match/series/tournament. Of course some of them will come true since no team can win everything they play.​

Even a broken clock shows correct time twice a day!

 

[MP2011]

Its great that we are without oldies like Kohli & Rohit on this tour. Its better to lose with younger players than with had beens.

 

[Hitman]

Its great that we are without oldies like Kohli & Rohit on this tour. Its better to lose with younger players than with had beens.

Their troll army is still active 24/7 on X trying to 'prove' how they both had great Test careers. Since they can't argue in terms of average, they are busy trying to 'prove' how X, Y and Z player would have averaged less than 40 if they played in the current era. ​

 

[MP2011]

I also read somewhere that BCCI went on its limb to plead Kohli take his retirement back, at least for this tour. If true, this is truly cringe. I'm immediately reminded of Srini days as BCCI prez when he ensured that Dhoni remains our test captain for 4 extra years.

I think they should have respected Kohli's decision who felt that he didn't have it in him any longer to keep playing in whites.

 

[MP2011]

Their troll army is still active 24/7 on X trying to 'prove' how they both had great Test careers.

Kohli - I can still understand a bit. He was a good test bat overall and a great test skipper for us. His last 5 years in test cricket ruined his test legacy or else he would have been a bonafide ATG in tests too.

Rohit - Which trees has he uprooted in test cricket? I'm afraid with our CT win, he'll keep haunting us in ODIs too at least till next ODI WC.

 

[Hitman]

Kohli - I can still understand a bit. He was a good test bat overall and a great test skipper for us. His last 5 years in test cricket ruined his test legacy or else he would have been a bonafide ATG in tests too.

Rohit - Which trees has he uprooted in test cricket? I'm afraid with our CT win, he'll keep haunting us in ODIs too at least till next ODI WC.

I was possibly the biggest Kohli fan till 2019. And then I saw the reality. Brian Lara said it best supporting Sachin when he was doing through his injuries (tennis elbow, and shoulder surgery) in 2005/06 that an idiot can have 15 minutes of fame. The one who proves himself over 16 years is the man.​

 

[MP2011]

I was possibly the biggest Kohli fan till 2019. And then I saw the reality. Brian Lara said it best supporting Sachin when he was doing through his injuries (tennis elbow, and shoulder surgery) in 2005/06 that an idiot can have 15 minutes of fame. The one who proves himself over 16 years is the man.​

People may eulogize Kohli as much as they want but Kohli himself knows deep down that there is no comparison between himself and Tendulkar, the test cricketer.

 

[mominsaigol]

Could have, should have lol

So kohli does not avg 46 overall with him avg 27 in 2024 in test cricket? And overall being a 27-29 avg clown since 2019 who hasnt been able to attack or bash anyone?

His best contribution came vs Australia on a phatta track.

Aus would have destroyed india 5-0 if it wasnt for bumrah in test 1 and rained off game.

If you wanna be taken more seriously and carry forth this neutral fan nonsense. Atleast dont lie or fabricate nonsense.

 

[Vikram1989]

Their troll army is still active 24/7 on X trying to 'prove' how they both had great Test careers. Since they can't argue in terms of average, they are busy trying to 'prove' how X, Y and Z player would have averaged less than 40 if they played in the current era. ​

I desperately hope jaiswal, sai ,jurel ( if he gets a chance) will score big to keep both troll armies mouth shut.if they can score good, both can oust rohit and kohli in odis too .it will put lot of pressure on both of them to perform otherwise gambhir will have a reason to cut them off.i see we have odis against aus in aus, nz, sa.its not easy for both of them especially rohit.

 

[Hellion]

LOL.

You lot are acting like all of my predictions are wrong.

I called it right during the 2023 WC final as well as last BGT. India lost both.

If the only thing you ever predict is India losing , you'll obviously get a few right.

 

[jnaveen1980]

It is a new era for India. Transition period. England transition in Tests have been decent ofcourse the main man veteran Root is still playing. But they have found replacements mostly.

 

[Ball Blazer]

England Men name XI for Rothesay first Test

England Men have confirmed their XI for the Rothesay first Test against India at Headingley starting on Friday.

Warwickshire all-rounder Chris Woakes returns to the side for the first time since December. Durham seamer Brydon Carse will play his first Test on home soil, having featured in his previous five Tests in Pakistan and New Zealand.

England Line Up:

1. Zak Crawley
2. Ben Duckett
3. Ollie Pope
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook
6. Ben Stokes (C)
7. Jamie Smith (WK)
8. Chris Woakes
9. Brydon Carse
10. Josh Tongue
11. Shoaib Bashir

 

[Ball Blazer]

Shubman Gill is set to take Virat Kohli's No.4 Test spot

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Kohli scored 305 runs off Anderson at an average of 43.57, with the England seamer dismissing him 7 times..

Kane Williamson averaged just 18.44 against Anderson with 9 dismissed

Smith was dismissed by Anderson 8th time

Go hear the confessions of Kohli himself

 

[Devadwal]

Go hear the confessions of Kohli himself

England pacer James Anderson has said that he found it more difficult to bowl to Virat Kohli as compared to Sachin Tendulkar ahead of the five-match series that is set to begin between the two teams on June 20.

ENG vs IND: Sachin vs Virat? Anderson gives verdict on tougher batter to bowl against - CNBC TV18

Anderson encountered the two Indian batters at different stages of his career though. The speedster relished a long career, and still plays county cricket at 42.

www.cnbctv18.com

 

[The Bald Eagle]

ENG vs IND: Sachin vs Virat? Anderson gives verdict on tougher batter to bowl against - CNBC TV18

Anderson encountered the two Indian batters at different stages of his career though. The speedster relished a long career, and still plays county cricket at 42.

www.cnbctv18.com

===
Virat Kohli named the toughest bowlers he has faced in each cricket format in a candid chat:

Test cricket: England's James Anderson, especially challenging when playing in England.

ODIs: Former Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga was the toughest overall, with England's Adil Rashid being the toughest spinner.

T20s: Kolkata Knight Riders' spinner Sunil Narine was the hardest to pick and face consistently.

Virat Kohli Names 'Toughest Bowlers' He Faced In Tests, ODIs, T20s In Unfiltered Revelation | Cricket News

In a freewheeling chat, batting icon Virat Kohli picked the toughest bowlers he has faced in each format.

sports.ndtv.com

 

[Devadwal]

===
Virat Kohli named the toughest bowlers he has faced in each cricket format in a candid chat:

Test cricket: England's James Anderson, especially challenging when playing in England.

ODIs: Former Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga was the toughest overall, with England's Adil Rashid being the toughest spinner.

T20s: Kolkata Knight Riders' spinner Sunil Narine was the hardest to pick and face consistently.

Virat Kohli Names 'Toughest Bowlers' He Faced In Tests, ODIs, T20s In Unfiltered Revelation | Cricket News

In a freewheeling chat, batting icon Virat Kohli picked the toughest bowlers he has faced in each format.

sports.ndtv.com

Ofcourse both said this and what's New here?

 

[neonoir]

England Men name XI for Rothesay first Test

England Men have confirmed their XI for the Rothesay first Test against India at Headingley starting on Friday.

Warwickshire all-rounder Chris Woakes returns to the side for the first time since December. Durham seamer Brydon Carse will play his first Test on home soil, having featured in his previous five Tests in Pakistan and New Zealand.

England Line Up:

1. Zak Crawley
2. Ben Duckett
3. Ollie Pope
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook
6. Ben Stokes (C)
7. Jamie Smith (WK)
8. Chris Woakes
9. Brydon Carse
10. Josh Tongue
11. Shoaib Bashir

Very weak England bowling lineup probably the worst home bowling attack in years.

Even the likes of Graham Onions and Ryan Sidearse are better than this current attack

 

[Devadwal]

Very weak England bowling lineup probably the worst home bowling attack in years.

Even the likes of Graham Onions and Ryan Sidearse are better than this current attack

This Indian test batting line-up is also weakest of all time ( probably) .

 

[neonoir]

This Indian test batting line-up is also weakest of all time ( probably) .

Gonna be a battle of the weakest then

 

[mominsaigol]

This Indian test batting line-up is also weakest of all time ( probably) .

Weakest of all time? This is why I seriously doubt that your 2003 nonsense.

So 1940's India is stronger then current test india .

Im expecting some nonsense response such as

But but but I used the word probably or I dont take this era seriously

 

[Human786]

How potent is this English bowling attack : Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir ?
ps : Stokes as 5th bowling option will always be suspect .

 

[Devadwal]

Weakest of all time? This is why I seriously doubt that your 2003 nonsense.

So 1940's India is stronger then current test india .

Im expecting some nonsense response such as

But but but I used the word probably or I dont take this era seriously

From 1990 this is 100% Weakest or 1940 m Kasi thi ye tuje hi pta muje to koi Idea ni h

 

[mominsaigol]

From 1990 this is 100% Weakest or 1940 m Kasi thi ye tuje hi pta muje to koi Idea ni h

Why would I have no idea? You expect me to believe a young and blooming cricket team spearheaded by Bumrah and Gill who have international games under their belt with one of those pacers being india's greatest pacer of all time,

is weaker then a team that literally just formed their country and pre 1948 didnt even exist and literally believed Cricket was called gilly danda with the likes of England and Bradman having to explain to these boys the rules at the start of the game before they got to play .

 

[jnaveen1980]

How potent is this English bowling attack : Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir ?
ps : Stokes as 5th bowling option will always be suspect .

It doesn't matter how potent actually is. But they know how to bowl in these conditiosn far better than Indians. They know what length to hit. May be spin will be better for India. But spin doesn't play much of a part here anyway.

 

[mominsaigol]

@Devadwal

This is obviously not India's weakest team. India had zero test legacy in the early 90's. Sachin wasnt developed yet, azaruddin who is medicore was their only real batsmen and the likes of sanjay madriker and ravi shastri are shan masood level batters who managed to dominate only on the absolute flattest of tracks and yet still avg below 40.

India then during Sachin's captaincy became a clown show. It was after that they become a test powerhouse to the point that in the early 2000's, they were the only team capable of upsetting Classic Australia on a rare occasion and were the no 2 test side.

Not to mention 80's and 70's. Sunny is good but he was one man and didn't have the ability to solo carry, infact in test no player besides Bradman has ever solo carried.

The 40's was a joke.

How on earth is this team weaker then 1980 india? Or 1990 india? Or heck 1940 india

 

[Devadwal]

It doesn't matter how potent actually is. But they know how to bowl in these conditiosn far better than Indians. They know what length to hit. May be spin will be better for India. But spin doesn't play much of a part here anyway.

I'm more interested about what types of pitches England provide. England is only place where pitch is going to better as game progress .

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

@Devadwal

This is obviously not India's weakest team. India had zero test legacy in the early 90's. Sachin wasnt developed yet, azaruddin who is medicore was their only real batsmen and the likes of sanjay madriker and ravi shastri are shan masood level batters who managed to dominate only on the absolute flattest of tracks and yet still avg below 40.

India then during Sachin's captaincy became a clown show. It was after that they become a test powerhouse to the point that in the early 2000's, they were the only team capable of upsetting Classic Australia on a rare occasion and were the no 2 test side.

Not to mention 80's and 70's. Sunny is good but he was one man and didn't have the ability to solo carry, infact in test no player besides Bradman has ever solo carried.

The 40's was a joke.

How on earth is this team weaker then 1980 india? Or 1990 india? Or heck 1940 india

Do not agree with what @Devadwal said but early 1980s and late 1970s India had a solid batting lineup.
Gavaskar, Vengsarkar, Amarnath, Gundappa Viswanath, thats one solid lineup. Also Amarnath had one of the greatest ever peak by any batsman in history and that too against WI of the 1980s and Pakistan.

Gavaskar averaged above 50 and the rest of them above 42. That is definitely a sound batting lineup, also all these guys were matchwinners.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

How potent is this English bowling attack : Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir ?
ps : Stokes as 5th bowling option will always be suspect .

Good point...very weak compared to Broad, Anderson, Leach combo...as I said earlier batting is their only hope.

 

[Justcrazy]

England . India test batting line-up is full of youngster apart from KL Rahul.

But GOAT Bumrah can win the match for india if our batters score 300+

jaiswal
KL
Sai
Gill( C)
Pant ( Wk)
Karun Nair
Jadeja
Thakur
Bumrah
Siraj
Arshdeep/ Prasidh/ Akashdeep

This is likely playing eleven for the 1st test.

MY playing Eleven Won't have any place for Thakur and jadeja. I want proper 5 bowlers ( 4 Pacers + Kuldeep)

playing XI has been announced ?

 

[Devadwal]

playing XI has been announced ?

No, india will Only announced after the toss. It was just my prediction.

 

[Devadwal]

Just one sleep away from quality test cricket. I can't wait

Indian fans should not be too high expectations from the series or criticize it too much because we are in a transition period of our test team.

 

[mominsaigol]

Just one sleep away from quality test cricket. I can't wait

Indian fans should not be too high expectations from the series or criticize it too much because we are in a transition period of our test team.

Yes clearly, I mean even 1940's gilly danda team is stronger courtesy of the wise words of devad

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Golden chance for Indian team. England's bowling looks the weakest it has in years.
For India, the lack of past prime Rohit, Kohli, Rahane, Pujara can be a blessing in disguise due to the novelty factor of the ones replacing them.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Pant shares India’s batting line-up change for England Tests

India’s new vice-captain Rishabh Pant confirmed India’s batting order ahead of the first Test against England

As India prepares for the crucial Test series against England, newly appointed vice-captain Rishabh Pant has affirmed a significant change in the team’s batting order for the first Test, revealing that Shubman Gill will take up the No.4 spot, while Pant himself will bat at No.5.

"I think there is still discussion going on, who is going to play No.3. But definitely No.4 and No.5 are fixed," Pant began.

"I think Shubman is going to bat at No.4 and I'm going to stick to No.5 as of now. And rest, we are going to keep on discussing about that."

This change signals a major reshuffle in India’s top order, triggered by the double retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill, who began his career as an opener and was later moved to No.3, will now take up the No.4 position alongwith the responsibility of filling a massive void left by Kohli.

The No.3 position, however, remains up for grabs wherein Sai Sudharsan is considered a strong contender for the spot, alongwith the returning batter Karun Nair. Both the players have been in outstanding form leading up to the red-ball series against England, making the selection an intriguing decision for the team management.

India have picked a young squad led by a new Test captain and will be without the experience of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin. This would be the first time since 2011 when India will play a Test match without at least one of those three stalwarts being present.

"Obviously, it's a new start for us, big people have left. Yes, there will be a gap, but at the same time, it's an opportunity for us to build a new culture from here or take a culture forward from there, just adding to it,” said Pant, acknowledging the gap in experience.

“I think being in a great frame of mind, helping the new players to learn and improve themselves in overseas conditions and sharing knowledge with each other, having that care and love in the dressing room for each other — that is something we are looking forward to do."

Shubman Gill is set to captain the side for the first time, with Rishabh Pant serving as his deputy. Despite their relative inexperience in leadership roles, Pant believes that his strong camaraderie with the new skipper will be a big positive for this fresh-looking Indian team.

"I think me and Shubman have a really good camaraderie off the field — especially off the field. If you're good friends off the field, it eventually comes on the field.

"It's much better for cricket always, and that is something I've always believed in. Me and him, we get along really well together. We keep on having conversations, and the kind of comfort zone we have with each other — I think that is really going to be special for us."

ICC

 

[Human786]

Good point...very weak compared to Broad, Anderson, Leach combo...as I said earlier batting is their only hope.

If Bumrah is 100% fit for the entire game , IND with him , Siraj , Krishna , Jadeja & Reddy have the better bowling attack .
Having said that , ENG's batting is strong . Traditionally , Leeds can either have ball doing a lot or absolutely flat with plethora of boundaries .
How many fancy a result in 4 days or less ?

 

[Human786]

It doesn't matter how potent actually is. But they know how to bowl in these conditiosn far better than Indians. They know what length to hit. May be spin will be better for India. But spin doesn't play much of a part here anyway.

Naveen , going to be hot & sunny . Even if pitch is slightly damp , moisture is going to be around for just 1st session .
Unless curator leaves 4mm [ or more ] of live green grass , it could be a belter . Win toss & bat imo .
Any thoughts @James @Mamoon ?

 

[mominsaigol]

While I am rooting for Gill and honestly I am rooting for jaiswal as well since it'll boost his confidence as a player,

I want Jadeja to be spanked into oblivion and that too by Harry Brooks a guy who cant play spin, so we can finally put an end to this jadeja = Pollock nonsense.

Travis Head ended ashwin, its only fitting Brooks ends Jadeja once and for all.

 

[RidiculousMan]

If this batting line up cannot score runs here for India then none can.

 

[mominsaigol]

Biggest frauds in world cricket

Bavuma, Brooks, Jaiswal, Rizwan, Babar, Jadeja, Pant, Siraj and many others all frauds.

Bumrah, Travis Head, Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, Steve Smith, Aiden Makram, Shubman Gill, Rachin Ravindra and many others

These boys are the real deal.

 

[mominsaigol]

I have a feeling India will lose thanks to Jaiswal inexperience, Gill captaincy inexperience and Jadeja who will get tonked for 100+ runs.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

@mominsaigol its Shubman Gill who actually has been hyped up to the moon by media, Indian fans still don’t agree with his rating and usually criticise him.

I don’t know from where you got the impression that Jaiswal is hyped in India, Gill is the poster boy for Indian Cricket right now and that too without too many accomplishments.

 

[Vikram1989]

Naveen , going to be hot & sunny . Even if pitch is slightly damp , moisture is going to be around for just 1st session .
Unless curator leaves 4mm [ or more ] of live green grass , it could be a belter . Win toss & bat imo .
Any thoughts @James @Mamoon ?

As per cricinfo, it's bowl first to utilise any assistance from pitch.first session may have little assistance and the grass is not a typical eng stuff to screw the batsmen for entire 1 or 2 days.

 

[Devadwal]

Nasser Hussain and Atherton's combined India and England XI post 2000.

Viru
Cook
Rahul Dravid
Greatest batsman of all time aka SRT

Stokes
Gabba king ( Wk)
ASHWIN
Anderson
Broad
Bumrah

no place of Root and Kohli because Rahul Dravid and SRT

 

[mominsaigol]

@mominsaigol its Shubman Gill who actually has been hyped up to the moon by media, Indian fans still don’t agree with his rating and usually criticise him.

I don’t know from where you got the impression that Jaiswal is hyped in India, Gill is the poster boy for Indian Cricket right now and that too without too many accomplishments.

Every indian player on the planet will be hyped to the moon. No way around it.

However Gill is objectively better then Jaiswal in every format except for Test, but I have no doubt that despite being a mediocre test cricketer he will still have a more successful test career then jaiswal.

Jaiswal will fade away soon. Jaiswal, Pant, Jadeja are overhyped to the moon, but I have high hopes from Gill.

I really like Gill and Bumrah (despite trolls putting Bumrah > Mcgrath, Marshall and Ambrose which irritates me) they are the real deal.

 

[Ab Fan]

Nasser Hussain and Atherton's combined India and England XI post 2000.

Viru
Cook
Rahul Dravid
Greatest batsman of all time aka SRT

Stokes
Gabba king ( Wk)
ASHWIN
Anderson
Broad
Bumrah

no place of Root and Kohli because Rahul Dravid and SRT

Root must have been in this team ahead of KP.

Stokes is debatable and can be replaced with Flintoff or Jadeja depending on conditions. Even a specialist bat like Kohli or KP could also come in at 6 and drop the idea of all rounder.

 

[Ab Fan]

Every indian player on the planet will be hyped to the moon. No way around it.

However Gill is objectively better then Jaiswal in every format except for Test, but I have no doubt that despite being a mediocre test cricketer he will still have a more successful test career then jaiswal.

Jaiswal will fade away soon. Jaiswal, Pant, Jadeja are overhyped to the moon, but I have high hopes from Gill.

I really like Gill and Bumrah (despite trolls putting Bumrah > Mcgrath, Marshall and Ambrose which irritates me) they are the real deal.

Jadeja is not hyped despite having the stats.