The battle for red-ball dominance is about to start! England have formally introduced their taking part in XI for the primary Check in opposition to India, set to start on Friday, June 20, at Headingley, Leeds. Below the management of Ben Stokes, this match kicks off the 2025–27 ICC World Check Championship (WTC) cycle for each groups.
England’s confirmed Enjoying XI for 1st Check vs India
| Participant | Position |
|---|---|
| Zak Crawley | Proper-hand opening batter |
| Ben Duckett | Left-hand attacking opener |
| Ollie Pope | Anchoring No. 3 |
| Joe Root | Ex-captain, middle-order maestro |
| Harry Brook | Dynamic stroke-player |
| Ben Stokes (C) | All-rounder and tactical chief |
| Jamie Smith (WK) | Younger wicketkeeper-batsman |
| Chris Woakes | Swing bowler and useful lower-order bat |
| Brydon Carse | Proper-arm pacer getting back from damage |
| Josh Tongue | Tall, skiddy quick bowler |
| Shoaib Bashir | Off-spinner and rising star |
Additionally learn: England vs India 1st Check 2025: Full Schedule, Match Timings, Squads, Predicted XIs & The place to Watch
High-Order in Blistering Kind
England’s prime three,Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, and Ollie Pope are coming into this collection with confidence sky-high. All three scored centuries of their final Check outing in opposition to Zimbabwe, powering England to a win by an innings and 45 runs. Their kind will likely be essential in opposition to India’s fiery tempo assault and artful spinners.
Comebacks Add Firepower
Chris Woakes, again after an ankle damage, brings invaluable expertise and swing with the purple ball. His means to bat at No. 8 provides depth to the lineup. Brydon Carse additionally makes a return, having missed the Champions Trophy as a consequence of a toe damage. He was sharp within the New Zealand collection and is anticipated to crank up the tempo.
Wicketkeeper Watch
Jamie Smith steps in as wicketkeeper, marking a contemporary period behind the stumps. With the gloves handed over from seasoned names like Foakes and Bairstow, it is a huge second for the teenager.
Spin Management
Shoaib Bashir, the one specialist spinner within the aspect, impressed with a nine-wicket haul in England’s earlier Check. His efficiency earned him Participant of the Match, and he’ll be England’s essential spin menace on a floor anticipated to supply bounce however restricted flip.
A New Chapter within the World Check Championship
This Headingley Check is not only any collection opener it additionally marks the beginning of a brand new WTC cycle. India, beneath new captain Shubman Gill, and England, with the impetus of their aggressive Bazball technique, are each eager to make an early assertion on the highway to the 2027 remaining.
Count on the Englishmen to make outrageous declarations at the beginning of the match, rating at blistering tempo, and try calculated dangers, whereas the depth and spin energy of the Indian staff will problem England’s fearlessness.
Last Ideas: England Combine Expertise With Aptitude
Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum nonetheless modified the staff, partly for this collection, to place up the sound mixed power of reliability from senior gamers in opposition to the chuckle of youthful power. Root and Woakes will each anchor the nation’s ship with about fifty years of expertise between them, whereas the contemporary blood of Smith and Bashir provides a brand new breath of reinvigoration.
With Headingley providing assist to each pacers and batters, that is the proper setting for pleasure over a five-Check match collection. And absolutely, England’s XI seems to be battle-ready sufficient to tackle a well-balanced Indian staff, one other early basic within the WTC race.
Match Information
- Match: 1st Check – India vs England
- Date: Friday, 20 June 2025
- Venue: Headingley, Leeds
- Occasion: ICC World Check Championship 2025–27
Written by RITESH SINGH
