IND vs ENG Test 2025: How the Indian Team Stack Up for the All-Important 5-Test Match Series

World Test Championship Final 2025 is done and dusted, and we have got a new champion in South Africa. The 2023-25 WTC cycle was an exciting one, with India and Australia vying for a spot in the finals almost till the final hurdle. At the end, it was Australia vs South Africa at Lord’s in the WTC 2025 Final, and the Proteas finally ended their ICC trophy drought of 27 years.

With the 2023-25 WTC over, it’s time to start afresh. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have already kicked off the WTC 2025-27 cycle in Galle; now it’s time for the big one, i.e., India’s Tour of England 2025. The two top sides are all set to lock horns in a 5-match Test series starting from June 20 at Headingley in Leeds.

Team India’s first Assignment post Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin’s Retirement

After the retirement of Team India’s three stalwarts, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin, Team India is in a transition phase. The India tour of England will be Team India’s first Test assignment post the trio’s retirement. The absence of these three stalwarts has created a significant gap, and stepping into their shoes will be a daunting challenge for the next generation.

The likes of Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, and Abhimanyu Easwaran have been entrusted to take the reins forward in the batting unit, along with the usual suspects Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and the newly appointed Test skipper Shubman Gill.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s legacy is unmatched in the bowling unit. Team India’s premier spinner for years has left behind a lot for the next gen to learn and adapt to script their careers. Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav will be juggling a spot for the second spinner in this tour, with the experienced Ravindra Jadeja leading the spin department in the absence of Ashwin. A new era under Shubman Gill is about to begin and it will be interesting to see what’s on offer for the fans.

Team India’s preparations before the IND vs ENG Test 2025

Team India’s preparations for the 2025 Test series against England have been methodical and focused, especially under a new leader, Shubman Gill. The squad kicked off their tour with an intense training block at Lord’s, followed by a four-day intra-squad match in Beckenham to simulate match conditions and fine-tune red-ball skills after months of white-ball cricket. Prior to that, several key players, including Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur, featured in unofficial Tests for India A against England Lions in Canterbury, where Nair impressed with a double century and Thakur struck a fluent 122.

These matches have helped the team acclimatize to English conditions and assess form and fitness. With stalwarts like Kohli, Rohit, and Ashwin retired, the focus has shifted to a younger core, and the tour games have been crucial in shaping the playing XI. The squad looks eager to begin their WTC 2025–27 cycle on a strong note.

IND vs ENG Test 2025: Team India squad, Strengths, and Weaknesses

Check out the complete 18-man Team India squad announced for the 5-match Test series.

IND vs ENG Test 2025 Squad: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, , Nitish Reddy, , Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana.

Note: Seamer Harshit Rana was added to the squad last night.

Here’s a well-rounded look at Team India’s strengths and weaknesses heading into the five-Test series against England in 2025:

Strengths

Young batting core in form: With Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Karun Nair leading the charge, India’s top order is aggressive yet technically sound, well-suited for English conditions.
Pace attack depth: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh form a potent pace trio, with Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep offering solid backup. Their ability to exploit seam-friendly pitches could be a game-changer.
Element of surprise: Many players are touring England for the first time, making them unfamiliar to the hosts. This unpredictability could work in India’s favor, especially early in the series.

Weaknesses

Lack of experience: With stalwarts like Kohli, Rohit, and Ashwin retired, the squad lacks seasoned campaigners who’ve previously succeeded in English conditions.
Unsettled middle order: While the top order looks promising, the middle order is still finding its feet, and consistency could be an issue under pressure.
Limited spin impact: English pitches may not offer much assistance to spinners like Jadeja or Kuldeep, potentially reducing their influence in the series.

IND vs ENG Test 2025 Full Schedule

Check out the full schedule of Team India’s tour of England 5-Test match series.

First Test: June 20-24 at Headingley, Leeds
Second Test: July 2-6 at Edgbaston, Birmingham
Third Test: July 10-14 at Lord’s, London
Fourth Test: July 23-27 at Old Trafford, Manchester
Fifth Test: July 31-August 4 at The Oval, London