Predicting India’s Playing XI for their first Test against England

The first of the five Test matches between England and India will be held in Leeds at the famous Headingley stadium. Team India, with Shubman Gill as the captain and Gautam Gambhir as the coach for the massive tour, which doesn’t have the stars like Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, and batter Virat Kohli in the mix. 

The likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, and skipper Shubman Gill himself will have to play a huge role with the bat. In the bowling front, the onus will be on Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj to lead the pace bowling unit, which lacks experience, with Ravindra Jadeja as the only experienced spin option. 

Here is the likely India XI vs England 

Top order  

KL Rahul will reclaim the opening spot on a full-time basis after Rohit Sharma decided to retire from the Test format. Rahul has toured England in 2018 as well as in 2021 and scored centuries in each of the tours. The 33-year-old has been in decent nick so far with the bat and will be a key player for the touring side. Yashasvi Jaiswal had a great series at home against England in 2024, where he scored two double tons. The left-handed batter will be keen to show why he is counted as one of the best Indian talents in the longest format of the game. 

Middle Order  

Sai Sudharsan is the odds-on favourite to be handed his Test debut in Leeds, and the left-handed batter could bat at the number three spot. Sudharsan was the top scorer in the IPL 2025 season and also has good experience of the English conditions. Shubman Gill will be batting at number four, taking over from Virat Kohli and will be followed by Rishabh Pant. The captain and vice-captain duo will have a huge role to play with the bat for India during the tour. 

Lower-order 

Team Indian could opt to field a longer batting unit with Karun Nair batting at number six. Nair has been in great batting form in the red-ball format and also scored a double century in one of the practice matches. The right-handed batter has also scored a triple ton in Test cricket against England in 2016. Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Reddy will be the all-round options as the duo can not only score key runs but also do well with the ball. Jadeja, in particular, will be the lone spinner of the side after his long-time partner Ashwin retired from international cricket. 

Tail-enders  

Shardul Thakur will be in firm contention for a place in the playing XI after his century in the practice match. Thakur was one of the best players in the previous Ranji season, both with the bat and with the ball. Bumrah and Siraj will be keen to exploit the English conditions and put the home team under pressure. Bumrah, in particular, will be relishing his challenge with Joe Root that could define the course of the series. 

India XI vs ENG

KL Rahul, Y Jaiswal, S Sudharsan, S Gill, R Pant, K Nair, R Jadeja, N Reddy, S Thakur, J Bumrah, M Siraj. 

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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