India will play the first Test against England on June 20 at Leeds, and here’s the XI the visitors could go in with.
Openers
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul
The pair had laid the foundation for a memorable Indian victory in the first Test at Perth last year by weathering the early storm with the new ball. Opening the second innings after both sides were bowled out cheaply, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul stitched together a resilient 201-run stand across 63 overs. Their partnership laid the platform for India’s commanding 487/6 declared, which eventually led to a thumping 295-run win. Given their success, they are likely to be the preferred opening combination for the upcoming first Test.
Jaiswal has enjoyed a remarkable start to his Test career, amassing 1,798 runs at an average of 52.88, with four centuries, including an unbeaten 214. His dominance against England at home last year, where he averaged 89 across five Tests, showcased his temperament and class. Now, he will be keen to replicate that success in overseas conditions against the same opponents.
Rahul, meanwhile, continues to be one of India’s more dependable batters away from home despite an inconsistent overall record. His century at Centurion in 2023 stood out for its poise under pressure, and though a hundred has eluded him since, he has chipped in with crucial fifties — 77 at Perth and 84 at Brisbane among them. One of the most seasoned names in the touring party, Rahul, whose Test resurgence began during the 2021 series in England, will be aiming to turn starts into defining innings and anchor India’s top order in challenging conditions.
Middle-order
Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy
Comeback man Nair could well slot in at No.3, edging out Sai Sudharsan for a place in the XI. Nair, who brings valuable experience from his stint in county cricket, has been in prolific form of late. He struck a double century in the recent India A fixture against the England Lions, following a strong Ranji Trophy season, where he finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer with 863 runs at an average of 53.93. Among the available middle-order contenders, Nair stands out for his experience and technical proficiency, particularly in seaming conditions, making him a logical choice in the event of an early wicket.
His inclusion allows skipper Shubman Gill to drop down to No.4, a position he has not occupied before in Tests. While Gill has struggled against the new ball in recent times, this shift offers him a chance to settle in and make the most of the vacancy created by Virat Kohli’s retirement, with an eye on securing the spot for the long term.
Pant is locked in at No.5, with his counter-attacking abilities capable of tilting the game at any juncture. The No.6 position remains up for discussion, with Dhruv Jurel also in consideration. However, Reddy’s composed performances during the tour of Australia, which were one of the few positives in an otherwise disappointing campaign, are likely to earn him the nod.
All-rounders
Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur
Jadeja remains one of the most complete all-rounders of his generation, capable of turning matches with both bat and ball. In the 2023–25 World Test Championship cycle, he scored 664 runs at an average of 31.61, often delivering crucial knocks under pressure. With the ball, he was equally impactful, claiming 55 wickets and reinforcing his status as a genuine match-winner. While conditions in England may limit his bowling role, Jadeja’s contribution with the bat will continue to be vital in the middle order.
India sorely missed Thakur, not picked during the tour of Australia, where the lack of a seam-bowling all-rounder disrupted the team’s balance. Without adequate bowling options to support the attack, Jasprit Bumrah had to shoulder an unsustainable workload, contributing to his eventual breakdown. Shardul’s return brings much-needed depth and versatility. He is coming off an excellent domestic season, where he scored 505 runs, including a century, and took 35 wickets, with a hat-trick against Meghalaya. His form carried into the recent intra-squad fixture, where he reportedly bagged four wickets and scored an unbeaten 122. He will be keen to extend that form into the upcoming series.
Fast bowlers
Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Bumrah is the best fast bowler in world cricket, and remains an automatic selection – in fact, the first name on the team sheet.
Siraj will partner with him as the second seamer. While he can occasionally be inconsistent, his workhorse-like efforts cannot be overlooked. He was India’s most-used bowler in the recent series against Australia, delivering 157.1 overs and taking 20 wickets, underlining his stamina and value to the side.
Krishna is likely to be the third seamer. The lanky pacer, who finished as the leading wicket-taker in the most recent IPL, brings with him the ability to generate extra bounce, a crucial asset in English conditions. Coupled with his improved accuracy and ability to maintain consistent lines and lengths, Krishna adds another dimension to India's pace attack.
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