Introduction to the India vs England Test Series 2025
The India National Cricket Team is currently touring England for a highly anticipated five-match Test series, part of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship. The first Test match, played at Headingley, Leeds, from June 20–24, 2025, has set the stage for an exciting contest.
Why This Series Matters
- World Test Championship Points: Both teams are vying for crucial points in the 2025–2027 cycle.
- New Era for India: With Shubman Gill as the new Test captain and the retirement of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India is transitioning into a new phase.
- England’s Home Advantage: England, led by Ben Stokes, aims to capitalize on familiar conditions to dominate.
First Test Match Scorecard: India vs England at Headingley, Leeds
Day 1 Recap: India Dominates with 359/3
India ended Day 1 of the first Test on a commanding 359/3 in 85 overs, thanks to centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Shubman Gill, alongside a solid half-century from Rishabh Pant. England’s decision to bowl first under Ben Stokes backfired as the Indian batters capitalized on a dry pitch.
India Batting Scorecard (Day 1, Stumps: 359/3 in 85 overs)
| Batsman | Status | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | c Stokes b Carse | 101 | 159 | 16 | 1 | 63.52 |
| KL Rahul | c Root b Carse | 42 | 78 | 5 | 0 | 53.85 |
| Sai Sudharsan | c Smith b Stokes | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Shubman Gill (C) | Not Out | 127 | 169 | 16 | 1 | 75.15 |
| Rishabh Pant (WK) | Not Out | 65 | 96 | 6 | 2 | 67.71 |
| Extras | (lb 7, w 15, nb 2) | 24 | ||||
| Total | 359/3 in 85 overs | Run Rate: 4.22 |
England Bowling Figures (Day 1)
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy | Wides | No Balls |
| Chris Woakes | 18 | 0 | 81 | 0 | 4.50 | 2 | 0 |
| Brydon Carse | 15 | 4 | 70 | 2 | 4.67 | 3 | 1 |
| Ben Stokes | 12 | 2 | 50 | 1 | 4.17 | 2 | 0 |
| Josh Tongue | 15 | 1 | 67 | 0 | 4.47 | 3 | 1 |
| Shoaib Bashir | 25 | 3 | 84 | 0 | 3.36 | 0 | 0 |
Key Milestones on Day 1
- Jaiswal’s Elite Club Entry: Joined Murali Vijay, Sourav Ganguly, Sandeep Patil, and Vijay Manjrekar as Indians with centuries in their first Test innings in England.
- Gill’s Captaincy Milestone: Became the 33rd player globally and fifth Indian to score a century in his first Test as captain.
- Record Opening Stand: Jaiswal and Rahul’s 91-run partnership surpassed the previous record of 64 by Sunil Gavaskar and K Srikkanth at Leeds in 1986.
Team Line-Ups and Squad Updates
India’s Playing XI
- Shubman Gill (C)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudharsan
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Karun Nair
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Shardul Thakur
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
Notable Updates:
- Sai Sudharsan debuted at No. 3, receiving his Test cap from Cheteshwar Pujara.
- Karun Nair returned to the Test XI after eight years, batting at No. 6.
- Shardul Thakur was preferred over Nitish Reddy as the pace-bowling all-rounder.
England’s Playing XI
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Ben Stokes (C)
- Jamie Smith (WK)
- Chris Woakes
- Brydon Carse
- Josh Tongue
- Shoaib Bashir
Notable Updates:
- Brydon Carse opened the bowling with Woakes, filling in for the injured Jofra Archer and Mark Wood.
- Ollie Pope retained his spot at No. 3 over Jacob Bethell.
Match Context and Conditions
Pitch and Weather Report
- Pitch: The Headingley pitch was dry and responsive but offered little assistance to pacers due to sunny conditions. Batting became easier as the day progressed.
- Weather: Mostly cloudy and warm on Day 1, with temperatures reaching 30°C and no rain interruptions. Day 2 forecasts vary, with some predicting thunderstorms.
Strategic Decisions
- England’s Toss Decision: Ben Stokes opted to bowl first, hoping to exploit early conditions, but the pitch offered minimal swing or seam.
- India’s Batting Approach: India adopted a mix of caution and aggression, with Jaiswal and Rahul surviving the first hour before accelerating.
Player Performances and Highlights
Standout Indian Performers
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: His 101 included a passionate century celebration, reflecting his hunger to succeed. His ability to score on both sides of the wicket troubled England’s bowlers.
- Shubman Gill: Played a captain’s knock, scoring fluently with 16 fours and a six. His cover drive off Josh Tongue to reach his century was a highlight.
- Rishabh Pant: His 65* featured trademark shots, including a paddle sweep and a lofted six, showcasing his attacking intent.
England’s Struggles
- Bowling Ineffectiveness: England’s pacers failed to create wicket-taking opportunities, with Woakes and Carse leaking runs.
- Fielding Efforts: Joe Root’s catch to dismiss Rahul was a rare bright spot in an otherwise tough day.
Upcoming Days: What to Expect
Day 2 Preview
- India’s Strategy: With Gill and Pant unbeaten, India will aim to push their score past 500, potentially bringing Jadeja and Nair into play.
- England’s Response: England needs early wickets with the new ball to limit India’s lead. Stokes and Bashir will be crucial in changing the momentum.
- Weather Impact: Potential thunderstorms could disrupt play, forcing both teams to adjust their plans.
Series Schedule
- 2nd Test: July 2–6, 2025, Edgbaston, Birmingham
- 3rd Test: July 10–14, 2025, Lord’s, London
- 4th Test: July 23–27, 2025, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
- 5th Test: July 31–August 4, 2025, Kia Oval, London
Additional Context: Pre-Series Performances
India A vs England Lions Warm-Up Matches
- First Unofficial Test (May 30–June 2, 2025): Ended in a draw, with India A scoring 241/2. Four India A batters, including Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel, scored half-centuries.
- Second Unofficial Test (June 6–9, 2025): KL Rahul scored 116, and Dhruv Jurel made 52, helping India A post 319/7 on Day 1. Karun Nair’s double ton strengthened his case for the Test squad.
Intra-Squad Match (June 13–16, 2025)
- Shardul Thakur scored an unbeaten 122, while Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul also shone, confirming their form ahead of the Test series.
