The wait is finally over as two of the top sides in world cricket, India and England, are set to face off in the first Test of the five-match series at Headingley in Leeds. The series marks a fresh start for both teams in the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle 2025–27.

England, on one hand, have a strong batting lineup with players like Joe Root and Harry Brook. Both are known for their solid technique and ability to score quickly, which can put pressure on any bowling side. In bowling, England will rely on a group of young pacers, including Josh Tongue, who will be tested against a skilled Indian team.

India, meanwhile, begin a new phase without their experienced stars. Under new captain Shubman Gill, the team features reliable players like Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. India’s batting includes a mix of experienced names and fresh faces, all eager to perform. Their bowling attack looks strong as ever, led by Jasprit Bumrah, who can deliver in any condition.

ENG vs IND 1st Test: Match Details

• Date and Time: 3:30 PM / 10:00 AM GMT / 11:00 AM LOCAL
• Venue: Headingley, Leeds

Headingley Pitch Report:

The Headingley pitch in Leeds has long been a reliable venue for competitive Test cricket. Traditionally, it offers plenty for fast bowlers early on, especially under overcast skies. The surface tends to have good bounce and seam movement in the first two days, making life difficult for batters who don’t apply themselves. As the match progresses, the pitch generally settles, allowing batters to score more freely if they get through the initial challenge. By Day 4 and 5, the surface can show signs of wear, with occasional variable bounce and assistance for spinners, though it remains more favorable to pace than spin overall. The outfield is typically quick, adding value to well-timed shots. Captains winning the toss often factor in weather conditions—bowling first on cloudy mornings can be tempting. Overall, Headingley provides a fair contest between bat and ball, demanding skill, patience, and smart strategy from both sides in a five-day Test.

ENG vs IND Dream11 Prediction Picks

• Wicketkeeper: Rishabh Pant
• Batters: Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Harry Brook, KL Rahul
• All-rounders: Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja
• Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Chris Woakes, Mohammed Siraj

ENG vs IND Dream11 Prediction Captain and Vice Captain

• Choice 1: Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes (vc)
• Choice 2: Yashasvi Jaiswal (c), Rishabh Pant (vc)

Also READ: England or India? Nasser Hussain predicts the scoreline for upcoming 5-match Test series

ENG vs IND Dream11 Prediction Backups

Ollie Pope, Brydon Carse, Shubhman Gill, Shardul Thakur

ENG vs IND Dream11 team for today’s match (June 20, 10:00 am GMT):

Squads:

England Squad: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir, Jamie Overton, Samuel James Cook, Jacob Bethell

India Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana

Also READ: Karun Nair’s comeback in doubt as injury clouds his availability for the Leeds Test

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