The first Test between England and India will start on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. India’s 2025 tour of England kicks off on June 20 with the opening Test at Headingley. The Indian cricket team will be led by their new captain, Shubman Gill, who will take charge of the side in Test cricket for the first time.
With senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having retired from Test cricket, India faces a significant challenge to strengthen their batting lineup. The squad features many young and inexperienced players who will need to step up during this demanding series against England.
The team, led by Ben Stokes, is known for their strong performances in home Tests and will be eager to assert dominance over the youthful Indian side. However, they will miss key fast bowlers Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, and Gus Atkinson in the opening match due to injuries.
England Sets Up Batting-Friendly Pitch at Headingley for First Test
Under coach Brendon McCullum, England has embraced an aggressive style in Test cricket over recent years. Captain Ben Stokes fully supports this “Bazball” approach, which has played a key role in the team’s dominance over opponents in Test series.
Now, England aims to apply the same strategy against India in the opening Test at Leeds. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Richard Robinson, head of grounds at Leeds, revealed that the pitch is being prepared with a hard surface to favor the batters and give them an edge over the bowlers.
“They just want to have a good surface, so it’s true, really, so we can hit through the line of the ball. That’s really what they’re looking for,” Robinson explained.
Last year, England suffered a 4-1 series defeat in India but recently bounced back with a commanding win over Zimbabwe at home in a one-off Test, boosting their confidence. Currently, England holds the third spot in the ICC Test rankings, with India close behind in fourth.
