England vs India 2025: Picking the best combined XI of the Test series

In the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, India were trailing 1-2 before the last two Tests. At Manchester, the visitors’ batters stood tall and helped the team draw the fourth Test to stay alive in the series. Then, in the final Test at The Oval, Shubman Gill and his team scripted a brilliant comeback to level the series 2-2.

Across five high-quality matches, both sides produced standout performances. Here is a look at the Best Combined Playing XI of the series.

It was a close call between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ben Duckett, but Duckett makes the cut due to his consistency. He scored 462 runs in nine innings, averaging 51.33, with an impressive strike rate of 82.94. His aggressive yet reliable approach stood out.

KL Rahul was outstanding throughout the series. He scored 532 runs in 10 innings at an average of 53.20, including two centuries and two fifties. He was the third-highest run-getter of the series.

India’s captain, Shubman Gill, had a phenomenal series. He scored 754 runs in 10 innings, averaging 75.40, including four centuries. He finished as the leading run-scorer of the series and was named India’s Player of the Series by England head coach Brendon McCullum.

England’s batting pillar Joe Root was at his best once again. He finished with 537 runs in nine innings, averaging 67.12, including three centuries and one fifty. His calm and classy approach in tough situations was crucial.

Harry Brook was chosen as England’s Player of the Series by India head coach Gautam Gambhir. He played several impactful innings, scoring 481 runs in nine innings, averaging 53.44, with a strike rate of 81.38. He hit two centuries and two fifties.

Rishabh Pant proved once again why he is India’s X-factor in red-ball cricket. In just seven innings, he scored 479 runs, including two centuries and three fifties, averaging 68.42 with a strike rate of 77.63. His counter-attacking style often shifted momentum.

Ravindra Jadeja had a brilliant series. He scored 516 runs in 10 innings, averaging 86.00, with five fifties and one century. With the ball, he took seven wickets in nine innings.

Ben Stokes, England’s captain, led with the ball. He picked up 17 wickets in eight innings, averaging 25.23. With the bat, he scored 304 runs in seven innings, averaging 43.42, including a century.

Washington Sundar impressed in both departments. He scored 284 runs in eight innings at 47.33, with a century and a fifty, and took seven wickets in six innings.

Mohammed Siraj was the highest wicket-taker of the series. He took 23 wickets, often leading the attack in the absence of Bumrah and producing match-winning spells. Jasprit Bumrah, despite playing only three Tests, was brilliant. He took 14 wickets in five innings, averaging 26.00, including two five-wicket hauls.

Combined XI: Ben Duckett, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ben Stokes (c), Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah.

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