Predicting India's strongest playing XI for the first Test vs England

In an exciting five-match Test series that begins in Leeds on Friday, June 20, 2025, Indian cricket will usher in a new era. Still, Shubman Gill's young Turks will begin as definite underdogs against a formidable England squad.

India's next Test captain, Shubman Gill, 25, was later appointed by the BCCI, and Rishabh Pant was named as his deputy. With several players receiving their first Test call-up and others making their comeback, the pair will be tasked to captain an Indian side that is quite inexperienced. This very list of players includes Sai Sudharsan, Arshdeep Singh, veterans Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur.

KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are expected to open the innings for India in the first Test match. After South Africa and Australia, Jaiswal starts his third SENA tour. In 19 games, he amassed 1,798 runs at an average of 52.88, including 4 hundreds and 10 fifties.

Rahul, who is now the opener, has amassed 2,803 runs at a rate of 35.03 in 48 games, with seven hundreds and fourteen fifties. For strong starts, this new opening duo will be essential.

As he switches from white-ball to red-ball cricket, Sai Sudharsan, who averages 39.93 and has seven hundreds in 29 first-class matches, is anticipated to start at number three. After scoring 514 runs in 11 SENA games, captain Shubman Gill batted at number four.

With 1,681 runs at 37 in 26 SENA Tests, including four hundreds, Rishabh Pant is anticipated at number five. Karun Nair, who scored 863 runs in nine Ranji Trophy games last season, may make a comeback at number six. 

Ravindra Jadeja and either Shardul Thakur or Nitish Reddy are in the lower order. Reddy may play his first Test match in England, Thakur had a strong 2021 season, and Jadeja has 642 runs and 27 wickets in England.

Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah will be in charge of the quick bowling. They will be joined by either Prasidh Krishna or Arshdeep Singh, with Krishna offering raw pace and bounce and Arshdeep offering left-arm variety.

India probable XI for first Test vs England: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna/Arshdeep Singh.

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