Ravi Ashwin predicts highest run-scorer and wicket-taker ahead of IND vs ENG test series

Ravi Ashwin feels Jasprit Bumrah will not be the leading wicket-taker for India.

Former Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin has predicted who will be the leading run-scorers and wicket-takers for India and England during the forthcoming IND vs ENG test series. India’s tour of England 2025 will witness five tests and the campaign will kickstart on Friday, June 20, with the first match at Headingley in Leeds.

India’s new test captain Shubman Gill is set to face the hosts England in the challenging away series, which will be the first bilateral series for both sides in ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. Following Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s retirement from tests, India comprise a few experienced members in their batting department.

On the other hand, Ben Stokes & Co. have an inferior bowling unit at least in the first test, as Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, and Gus Atkinson are not part of the squad. Wood is expected to miss the first three matches, while Archer might return for the second test. Atkinson is recovering from a hamstring injury.

Ravi Ashwin predicted highest run-scorers and wicket-takers for IND vs ENG test series

Speaking on his YouTube channel, former India spinner Ashwin shared his predictions for the best performers with the bat and ball for India and England during the five-match test series. The 38-year-old feels that Jasprit Bumrah will not be the leading wicket-taker for India as he will only play three games.

Ashwin believes Mohammed Siraj can be the top wicket-taker for India, while Chris Woakes or Shoaib Bashir can emerge as the leading wicket-taker for England.

“If Chris Woakes plays all five matches, I would say he would be the leading wicket-taker of the series, or maybe even Shoaib Bashir. From India, since Bumrah will not play all matches, I think Siraj will be the leading wicket-taker,” he said.

Ashwin, who retired from international cricket in December last year, predicted that Rishabh Pant and Joe Root can be the leading run-scorers for India and England respectively.

“Have to go with KL Rahul as the leading run-scorer, but because he is opening the batting, he might have a few first innings glitches. So, I will go with Rishabh Pant instead. Rishabh can only get himself out. Can’t look past Joe Root for England, while Ben Duckett is also a good shout,” Ashwin further added.

Notably, Rahul showed a good form for India A in the second unofficial test match against England Lions earlier this month, slamming a century and a half-century in both innings. He is highly likely to open the batting for India during the series with youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal.

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