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The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 is set to begin with a thrilling Test series opener between England and India at Headingley Stadium, Leeds , on Friday, June 20 . This match marks a new chapter in the storied rivalry between the two teams as they kick off their campaigns in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle .
India will be led by newly appointed captain Shubman Gill , who steps into the leadership role for the first time in Tests. Meanwhile, England, under the aggressive leadership of Ben Stokes , aim to build on their recent successes and continue their Bazball-inspired dominance in home conditions.
With both teams having something to prove, this contest promises to be a fascinating blend of experience, youth, aggression, and strategy.
Match Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | England vs India – 1st Test |
| Date | June 20, 2025 |
| Venue | Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds |
| Time | 3:00 IST |
| Competition | ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 |
Team Previews
England Preview
England enter this crucial WTC fixture with confidence after several high-scoring wins in recent months. Their batting lineup remains one of the most aggressive in world cricket, featuring Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook , and captain Ben Stokes — all capable of scoring quickly and building big totals.
Joe Root continues to be England’s trump card against India, having scored over 1500 runs in just 15 home Tests against them. His ability to anchor innings makes him a key figure. Harry Brook has also been in excellent form, recently hitting centuries and playing a central role in the middle order.
In bowling, Brydon Carse has emerged as a reliable pacer, taking 27 wickets since early 2024 . He will lead the attack alongside experienced campaigner Chris Woakes . The spin option comes from Shoaib Bashir , who impressed during his debut season and could play a pivotal role if the pitch assists turn.
However, the pace department looks slightly light beyond Carse and Woakes, with Josh Tongue and Sam Cook still finding their feet at the highest level.
If England can replicate their recent aggressive approach while maintaining discipline, they’ll start the series strongly.
India Preview
India have named a relatively new look squad for the tour of England, with Shubman Gill stepping up as full-time Test captain. With senior players like Kohli and Pujara likely to sit out due to workload management, India are banking on fresh talent and strong technique to handle English conditions.
At the top, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul form a promising opening pair. Jaiswal already showed his class against England last year, scoring heavily in Indian conditions. Karun Nair , back in the Test fold after a County stint, adds depth and resilience to the middle order.
Rishabh Pant returns as wicketkeeper-batter, bringing flair and unpredictability to the team. His unorthodox style can change games but also brings inconsistency.
The bowling unit is India’s biggest strength. Jasprit Bumrah , returning from injury, leads the pace battery, supported by Mohammed Siraj , who has performed well overseas. Prasidh Krishna offers extra bounce and seam movement, making him ideal for English pitches.
All-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur bring balance and control, especially in the middle overs. If the Indian bowlers click together, they could dominate England’s aggressive batting line-up.
While India may need time to adapt to the swing-friendly conditions, they have the firepower and skill to challenge any side when at their best.
Favourite Team to Win Today’s Match
| Favourite Team | Reason |
|---|---|
| England | Strong home record; deep, aggressive batting line-up including Root and Stokes. Bowl-first tendency at Headingley suits their style. India are adjusting to new leadership and unfamiliar conditions. While India have better bowling options, England’s familiarity with local conditions and Bazball philosophy gives them an edge. A strong start from Crawley and Duckett could set the tone. England are slight favorites in what should be a closely contested Test. |
Fantasy Team XI (with Explanation)
| Player Name | Role | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Root (vc) | Batter / Vice-Captain | England | High success rate against India; proven performer in English conditions. |
| Harry Brook | Batter | England | Aggressive middle-order batter; consistent run-getter. |
| Ben Stokes (c) | All-rounder / Captain | England | Key batsman and leader; capable of match-winning knocks and spells. |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Bowler | India | Leading wicket-taker; sharp pace and late swing make him dangerous. |
| Shubman Gill | Batter / Captain | India | Solid opener; calm under pressure and vital for India’s innings. |
| Zak Crawley | Batter | England | Aggressive opener; ideal for quick starts and long sessions. |
| Ollie Pope | Batter | England | Reliable lower-middle order presence; contributes consistently. |
| Mohammed Siraj | Bowler | India | Experienced seamer; effective with the new ball and under lights. |
| Brydon Carse | Bowler | England | Tall pacer; gets bounce and movement off the pitch. |
| Rishabh Pant | Batter / Wicketkeeper | India | Finisher; unpredictable strokeplay and game-changing potential. |
| Prasidh Krishna | Bowler | India | Bouncy and skiddy; useful in helpful conditions. |
Captain & Vice-Captain Suggestions
- Captain : Ben Stokes (ENG) – Game-changer with bat and ball; leadership role boosts fantasy value.
- Vice-Captain : Joe Root (ENG) – Proven performer against India; safe and impactful pick.
Players to Avoid in Fantasy Teams
- Sam Cook (ENG) – Limited Test experience; inconsistent in longer formats.
- Dhruv Jurel (IND) – Unproven at the international level; minimal impact expected.
Squads
England Squad
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Chris Woakes
- Brydon Carse
- Josh Tongue
- Shoaib Bashir
India Squad
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Karun Nair
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Dhruv Jurel
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Shardul Thakur
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna / Akash Deep
Probable Playing XI
| England | India |
|---|---|
| Zak Crawley | Yashasvi Jaiswal |
| Ben Duckett | KL Rahul |
| Ollie Pope | Karun Nair |
| Joe Root | Shubman Gill (c) |
| Harry Brook | Rishabh Pant (wk) |
| Ben Stokes (c) | Ravindra Jadeja |
| Jamie Smith (wk) | Shardul Thakur |
| Chris Woakes | Jasprit Bumrah |
| Brydon Carse | Mohammed Siraj |
| Josh Tongue | Prasidh Krishna |
| Shoaib Bashir | (12th Man) |
Pitch Report
- Venue : Headingley, Leeds
- Average First Innings Score : ~304
- Highest Score : 629/6d by Australia vs England (2018)
- Nature of Pitch : Seaming and swinging early; flattens out as match progresses. Spinners come into play later.
- Expected Target : 350+ in the first innings considered competitive.
- Fielding Advantage : Batting becomes tough early on, but easier once past the new ball.
Toss Prediction
- Likely Outcome : Even chance for either side to win the toss.
- Decision : Bowl first. Overcast skies and swing-friendly conditions favor the side bowling first.
Winner Prediction
England are our predicted winners of the 1st Test against India . They are more settled in their approach, familiar with English conditions, and coming off a phase where they’ve dominated at home with the Bazball philosophy.
India have a strong bowling attack but are still adapting to the new leadership structure and unfamiliar conditions. Unless the Indian bowlers fire in unison and the batters hold firm, it could be another uphill battle.
Back England to take an early lead in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series.
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