Predicting India’s Starting XI for First Test Against England

The opening Test between India and England kicks off on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.

Predicting India’s Starting XI for First Test Against England

India to field a much-changed and new starting XI for the first Test against England. (Image via Indian Express)

The Indian Test team is all set to embark on a new era, post Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s retirement from red-ball cricket. This new journey kick-starts when India takes on England in a challenging five-match Test series in the island country, beginning June 20, 2025.

For the first time in over a decade, India will be without Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and spinner R. Ashwin. Ashwin was the first one to announce his retirement, following India’s third Test match against Australia in December last year. Months later, skipper Rohit Sharma also announced his decision to call time on his red-ball career on May 7, followed by teammate Virat Kohli, who retired from Tests, on May 12. 

The BCCI subsequently named 25-year-old Shubman Gill as India’s new Test captain, with Rishabh Pant as his deputy. The duo will be trusted to lead a rather inexperienced Indian lineup, which includes several players who have received their maiden Test call-up, as well as others making their comeback. This very list of players includes Sai Sudharsan, Arshdeep Singh, veterans Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur.

Ahead of the series opener on June 20, at Headingley in Leeds, the predicted starting XI looks interesting. Yashasvi Jaiswal is set to retain his role as an opener. The 23-year-old lefthanded batter, who is ranked fourth among Test batters in the world, might be accompanied by the experienced KL Rahul. Rahul scored a century and a fifty during the two practice Test matches against England Lions.

There might be slight tussle for the No. 3 spot between debutant Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair. Nair, however, seems to hold an edge over the Tamil Nadu batter, after he hit a double-century in the first practice match against England Lions. The Vidarbha batter, returning to the Indian team after eight years, comes off the back of a brilliant Ranji Trophy season where he scored 863 runs at an average of 53.94.

Captain Shubman Gill and vice captain Rishabh Pant will likely occupy the fourth and fifth spots in the starting XI. The team’s most experienced player, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will likely occupy the sixth batting spot. The world no. 1 ranked Test all-rounder has played 80 Test matches for India, scoring 3,370 runs at an average of 34.74, and scalped 323 wickets at a bowling average of 24.14.

India’s Starting XIPlayers
1Yashasvi Jaiswal
2KL Rahul
3Karun Nair/Sai Sudharsan
4Shubman Gill
5Rishabh Pant
6Ravindra Jadeja
7Nitish Kumar Reddy
8Shardul Thakur/Washington Sundar
9Jasprit Bumrah
10Mohammed Siraj
11Prasidh Krishna/Arshdeep Singh

Jadeja will be followed by Nitish Kumar Reddy, who impressed fans with his maiden Test century against Australia at MCG. Shardul Thakur or Washington Sundar may occupy the number eight position in the starting XI. The bowling lineup is expected to comprise three pacers, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna.

Head Coach Gautam Gambhir Set to Rejoin Team India Camp Following Brief Return Home

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir is expected to return to join the national squad in England on Tuesday (June 17), ahead of the series opener at Headingley, Leeds. Gambhir briefly returned to India last week to visit his family during an medical emergency. 

Gautam Gambhir to rejoin Team India camp
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir is set to rejoin squad, after having traveled to India due to a family emergency. (via Mint)

The 43-year-old was forced to travel back to India, to attend his ailing mother, who had suffered a cardiac arrest on June 11, and had been admitted at a hospital in Delhi. It is understood that her health has improved, prompting Gambhir to decide upon returning. In his absence, assistant coaches Ryan ten Doeschate and Morne Morkel were in charge of the India side, which played India A behind closed doors. 

Upon his return on Tuesday, Gambhir is set to rejoin the squad for its training sessions prior to the series opener. India will play five Tests, the first one at Headingley, Leeds, followed by matches in Lord’s and the Oval London, Rose Bowl in Southampton and Old Trafford in Manchester.