WTC 2027 ENG vs IND, 1st Test, Match 1: Players battle to watch out

The long-awaited India Tour of England 2025 will kick off on June 20 in an action-packed five-match Test series between the world’s top cricketing nations. With both sides brimming with top-world talent and a history of close encounters, fans can expect top-class red-ball cricket all English summer. For a team that has struggled to win Test series away from home for decades, the current series holds a lot of importance for India as they aim to end their drought of Test series wins in England, whereas for England it's a chance dominate on their home soil in conditions they understand well.

India Tour of England 2025 – Match Details

• Series Name: India Tour of England 2025
• Format: 5-Match Test Series
• Dates: June 20 – August 4, 2025
• Teams: England vs India

Player Battles to Watch Out For
Joe Root vs Jasprit Bumrah
Root can be made to dance around by Bumrah’s pinpoint accuracy and cunning seam movement, particularly in the first 20 deliveries when the England captain is at his most vulnerable in English conditions.

Ben Stokes vs Ravindra Jadeja
Jadeja’s pinpoint accuracy and the sharp turn he can generate might test Stokes’ patience when England are seeking to accelerate in the middle overs.

Harry Brook vs Mohammad Siraj
Siraj’s incoming length and capacity to extract steep bounce might upset Brook’s attacking rhythm and make him play some counter-attacking shots.

Shubman Gill vs Shoaib Bashir
Gill’s fluent strokeplay could be tested by Bashir’s bounce and drift, more so on Day 3-4 pitches when footwork will be tested.

Rishabh Pant vs Chris Woakes
Pant’s natural aggression could be negated by Woakes’ ability to reverse the ball, both ways, from teasing good length around off stump.

KL Rahul vs Josh Tongue
Rahul, often a slow starter in testing conditions, might struggle with Tongue’s skiddy pace and the bounce early on.

ALSO READ:WTC 2027: ENG vs IND, 1st Test, Match Prediction– Who will win the Test Match?

ENG vs IND Predicted Playing XI

England Playing XI 

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir

India Playing XI

Yashashvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran/ Sai Sudharshan, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur/ Nitish Reddy, Mohammad Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep/ Prasidh Krishna