ENG vs IND, 1st Test | Fantasy Tips, Prediction & Preview

England will play against India in the first match of the five-match Test series which kicks off on June 20, 2025, at Headingley, Leeds. This marks a fresh chapter for both sides, with Shubman Gill leading India and Ben Stokes continuing to helm England in the post-Anderson/Broad era.

India enters the series under the fresh leadership of Shubman Gill, signaling a new era after the exits of stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. With Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul expected to open the innings, the team will rely on youthful energy and adaptability to handle England's testing conditions. The return of Rishabh Pant behind the stumps adds flair and balance, while Jasprit Bumrah remains India's spearhead, expected to lead a potent pace attack on seam-friendly pitches.

On the other hand, England, still under Ben Stokes' aggressive leadership, steps into this series seeking consistency in the post-Anderson/Broad era. With Joe Root, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook anchoring the top and middle order, their batting unit is built for both grit and flair, especially in home conditions. The bowling attack features Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Josh Tongue, all capable of exploiting early movement, though lacking the legendary bite of their predecessors. England will also look to Shoaib Bashir, the young spinner, to provide a surprise element if the pitch turns.

Match Timings

Match Toss Time - 03:00 PM IST (09:30 AM GMT)

Match Start Time - 03:30 PM IST (10:00 AM GMT)

Match Venue - Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds

Head to Head

Matches Played - 136

England won - 51          India won - 35

Draw - 50

Last 5 meetings

England won - 0            India won - 4

Draw - 1

Pitch Report

The Headingley pitch in Leeds traditionally offers good assistance to fast bowlers, especially in the early stages of a Test match. The first session on Day 1 often sees movement off the seam and through the air, making batting challenging. As the match progresses, the surface tends to flatten out, aiding batters, while spinners may come into play later on Days 4 and 5.

Weather Report

The weather forecast is expected to be partly cloudy throughout the Test. There are some chances of rain during the game. The temperature is likely to be around 28°C with 45% humidity.

Probable Playing XI  

England - Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(wk), Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Chris Woakes, Shoaib Bashir

India - KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharshan, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Must Picks

England - Joe Root, Ben Stokes

India - Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah

ENG vs IND Fantasy Team

Wicket-Keeper : Rishabh Pant

Batters : Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ollie Pope, Joe Root

All-rounder : Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja

Bowlers : Jasprit Bumrah, Brydon Carse, Chris Woakes, Shoaib Bashir

Captain and Vice-Captain picks

Captain : Ben Stokes

Vice-Captain : Jasprit Bumrah

Prediction

With overcast conditions and a seam-friendly pitch expected at Headingley, England’s pace attack—led by Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse—could trouble India’s relatively inexperienced top order. However, if Jasprit Bumrah finds early rhythm, India has the firepower to strike back hard. Hence, England are favourites to win this clash.

Sportco predicts England to beat India in the first match of the five-match Test series.

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Cover Credits - The Guardian