The first Test between England and India will be held from June 20 to 24 at Headingley, starting at 11:00 AM BST.
This series is a major test for England, with Ben Stokes leading his team against a refreshed and talented Indian side.
India’s Jasprit Bumrah is seen as the game-changer. With 205 wickets in 45 Tests, his performance can heavily influence the outcome. If England fails to handle Bumrah, their chances could dwindle quickly.
Apart from Bumrah, India’s bowling unit—Siraj, Shardul Thakur, and Nitish Kumar Reddy—lack experience in English conditions. If they fail to deliver, Bumrah might be overworked, which could reduce his effectiveness.
On the English side, Shoaib Bashir, the new lead spinner, faces a tough test against India’s aggressive batters, particularly left-handers like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant. India has a reputation for dominating off-spin.
This Indian team looks very different from before, with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma not in the squad. New captain Shubman Gill leads a side where many players are making their first Test appearances in England. The swinging Dukes ball remains a tough challenge.
Statistically, Indian batters struggle against good-length deliveries. Bowlers like Chris Woakes and Sam Cook may become key in exploiting that weakness.
Historically, India-England series have often seen controversies and drama. In 2021, a Covid scare postponed the final Test. When the series resumed in 2022, England made a dramatic comeback.
Winning this series will require more than skill – smart decisions and team discipline will be essential.
