Indian Cricket Team playing 11 for 1st test against England, Headingley - Predicted

Shubman Gill will lead the Indian Cricket Team in the five-match test series in England.

The start of a new era in Indian test cricket will begin with Shubman Gill leading the side in the upcoming five-match test series in England. This is the first assignment for the Indian Cricket Team in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.

They couldn’t make it to the last ICC WTC final. But it won’t be easy this time either, as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin have retired already. India will have a totally new-look batting order with a number of changes.

The first test is scheduled to start from June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. England at home are very strong and aggressive under Ben Stokes. That will be a massive challenge for Gill and his men. Here we will talk about the best possible XI for India for the first test.

Indian Cricket Team playing 11 for the first test against England, Headingley – Predicted

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal

In the last couple of years, Yashasvi Jaiswal has become an integral part of the Indian test team. He has been the team’s best test batter since 2023, scoring runs against all opposition. He struck two double centuries against England at home and has a happy memory against this side. Jaiswal will be India’s first-choice opener and will have a key role to play on this tour.

2. KL Rahul

With Rohit Sharma retiring, KL Rahul batting at the top will be a no-brainer. He was given a chance to open in Australia, and he grabbed it with both hands. India need experience at the top, and he is the most experienced batter in the current squad. Hence, Rahul will be the second opener for the first game.

3. Sai Sudharsan

Sai Sudharsan is expected to make his test debut for India in the Headingley test. He has been in tremendous form and finished IPL 2025 with the Orange Cap. The Southpaw is a technically sound batter and plays well against spin and pace. He is someone who can play long innings and is likely to start at three for India.

4. Shubman Gill (C)

Having opened and batted at three, the new captain, Shubman Gill, is now likely to bat at four. India need a solid batter at four to replace Virat Kohli. Though Gill hasn’t had a good record in overseas conditions, as a captain, he is expected to perform. Currently, he can be the best choice for India’s number four for the first test.

5. Karun Nair

March 2017 was the last time Karun Nair played a test match for India. He will be making his comeback after eight years. He has been scoring runs at different levels and has already struck a double century in the ongoing tour for India A against England Lions in the first unofficial test to prove his worth. He can be a good batter in the middle order and is likely to bat at five.

6. Rishabh Pant (wk)

The last time India played a test against England in England, Rishabh Pant slammed a blistering century. Pant will be India’s X-factor on this tour, and his form will decide India’s fate to some extent. He hasn’t been in great form in recent times as he didn’t score enough runs in Australia and had a poor Indian Premier League ( IPL) 2025. But he finished the league with a great century and will be eager to perform in England.

7. Ravindra Jadeja

Just like Pant, star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja also scored a century in India’s last test against England in England. Jadeja, with bat and ball, will have a massive role to play. He is India’s first-choice spinner overseas, and his batting holds as important a role as his bowling. At seven, he has been great in recent years. The number one test all-rounder is in good form as well in recent tournaments.

8. Shardul Thakur

There is likely to be a toss-up between Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy for the number eight spot. But with Shardul giving a better bowling option and his experience of playing in England, he is likely to have an edge over Reddy. Shardul had great numbers in England with both bat and ball. He is likely to be India’s change-up bowler and someone who can add some valuable runs down the order. He slammed a brilliant century during an intra-squad game between India and India A.

9. Jasprit Bumrah

India’s biggest match-winner, Jasprit Bumrah, will have the most important role for the team in the Headingley test. Gill needs to use him smartly because of injury concerns as it is a long tour. But Bumrah’s spell will surely set the tone for this game for the visitors. India will hope that he can continue his good form in the first game and take them to a winning start.

10. Mohammed Siraj

After getting dropped for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Mohammed Siraj is back in the Indian team. He will be India’s new ball pacer along with Bumrah. Siraj has the experience of playing in England, which can help him adjust his line and length. Now he is among the experienced Indian pacers in the squad. With Mohammed Shami not available, Siraj will have a crucial role to play.

11. Prasidh Krishna

The Purple Cap holder of the IPL 2025, Prasidh Krishna, can be a very dangerous bowler in Headingley. The surface produces good bounce, and Krishna can use his height to good effect. His good form may give him a nod over Arshdeep Singh for the first test.

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