Cricket fans, mark your calendars—India vs England kicks off a thrilling five‑Test series in June-August 2025, doubling as the opening chapter of the 2025–27 World Test Championship. Here’s your go-to guide:
📅 Series Schedule & Stakes
1st Test: June 20–24, Headingley (Leeds)
2nd Test: July 2–6, Edgbaston (Birmingham)
3rd Test: July 10–14, Lord’s (London)
4th Test: July 23–27, Old Trafford (Manchester)
5th Test: July 31–Aug 4, The Oval (London)
They’ll battle for the newly minted Tendulkar–Anderson Trophy, replacing the Pataudi one—a symbolic celebration of two Test legends. A win could set the tone for both sides in the WTC cycle.
🧭 Leadership & Squad Dynamics
India, under new Test captain Shubman Gill, is transitioning with a fresh core—Jaiswal, Nair, Reddy—post-Kohli and Rohit retirements
England rally behind Ben Stokes, with experienced stayer Ollie Pope expected at No. 3 to steady an attacking line-up
🔥 Form & Conditions
India played an intense caps-on training match in Beckenham, with Shubman Gill stressing “intensity” in English conditions
Karun Nair earned a recall with a double century vs England Lions, showcasing depth in middle order
Nitish Kumar Reddy is primed to step up amid potential workload gaps with limited Bumrah and no Shami
🎯 Key Challenges & Matchups
Focus Area | India | England |
|---|---|---|
Batting | Veteran absence; reliance on Gill, Jaiswal, Nair | Pope to convert starts; Stokes to set tone |
Overseas Conditions | Adaptability in seaming English weather | Leveraging home advantage in pace-friendly wickets |
Pace Attack | Reddy’s increased responsibility sans Shami/Bumrah | Anderson-Stokes notable up the ante |
🎖 Stakes Beyond the Series
World Test Championship Points – Each Test victory is a precious 12 points toward the 2025–27 final
Trophy Legacy – Breaking the series drought (since 2007) would be a major breakthrough for India in England.
Legacy for Leaders – A strong series defines leadership for Gill and Stokes early in their Test tenures.
🚀 What to Watch
India’s evolving batting core: Can Gill & Jaiswal rise to leadership in the long whites?
Pace attack depth: Will Reddy, Thakur, Siraj produce where Bumrah/Shami may not play all Tests?
Home advantage edge: Will England exploit Lord’s and Old Trafford—or will India silence crowds?
📝 Final Word
This series is more than a contest—it’s a narrative shift:
🆕 India, under Gill’s debut Test captaincy, aims to rewrite history on English turf
🧭 England, driven by Stokes’ vision, seeks validation under pressure
🌍 As the opening WTC series, it’s the foundation for a two-year championship journey
