India vs England 2025 Test Series: Beginning of 2025-27 WTC Cycle with High Stakes and Fresh Faces
Published on: Jun 18, 2025 4:40 pm IST|Updated on: Jun 18, 2025 4:40 pm IST
The highly anticipated five-match Test series between India and England is all set to kick off on June 20, 2025, at Headingley in Leeds. This crucial series marks the dawn of a new era in red-ball cricket, especially for Team India. With stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin hanging up their boots from the longest format of the game, Team India enters this series with a youthful core and a new leader in Shubman Gill.
Meanwhile, England, under the aggressive and charismatic Ben Stokes, will look to assert dominance at home after a humbling 4–1 defeat in India last year. This series also kicks off the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle for both these teams, adding further significance to every session, every spell, and every run scored throughout the series.
Full Schedule: India vs England Test Series 2025
| Test | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | June 20–24 | Headingley, Leeds |
| 2nd Test | July 2–6 | Edgbaston, Birmingham |
| 3rd Test | July 10–14 | Lord’s, London |
| 4th Test | July 23–27 | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| 5th Test | July 31–August 4 | The Oval, London |
India vs England 2025 Test Series Live Streaming and Broadcast Details (India)
Cricket fans in India can catch all five Tests live on the Sony Sports Network, with coverage available in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu across Sony Sports Ten channels. For digital viewers, live streaming will be available on JioHotstar, offering interactive features and multi-language commentary.
Match Start Time (India): 3:30 PM IST
TV Channels: Sony Sports Ten 1 (English), Ten 3 (Hindi), Ten 4 (Tamil & Telugu)
Streaming Platforms: JioHotstar and JioCinema apps and websites
India vs England 2025 Test Series Full Squads
India: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana
England: Ben Stokes (C), Ollie Pope (VC), Joe Root, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Shoaib Bashir
Venue-by-Venue Challenges
Headingley, Leeds
Known for its seam-friendly conditions, Headingley will test both teams’ top orders. India’s young batters must adjust quickly to the lateral movement, especially in the first two sessions. England’s pacers, led by Woakes and Tongue, will look to exploit early swing. For India, Bumrah and Siraj will be key in matching fire with fire.
Edgbaston, Birmingham
A fortress for England, Edgbaston offers bounce and carry but flattens out after Day 2. India’s challenge will be to survive the initial burst and then cash in. England’s batters, especially Root and Brook, thrive here. India’s spinners may find limited assistance, so the pace unit led by Bumrah must shoulder the bulk of the workload.
Lord’s, London
The “Home of Cricket” is a stage for legends. The slope at Lord’s can be tricky for visiting bowlers, and India’s young seamers will need to adapt quickly. Batting becomes easier once set, so partnerships will be crucial. England’s familiarity with the venue gives them an edge, but India’s recent success here (2021) offers hope.
Old Trafford, Manchester
This venue can be a pacer’s paradise under overcast skies. The Dukes ball tends to zip around, and batting on Day 1 can be treacherous. India’s middle order will be tested, and England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach could either flourish or falter spectacularly. Expect a result-oriented pitch.
The Oval, London
Traditionally a batting-friendly surface, The Oval offers turn late in the game. This could be India’s best chance to unleash Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja in tandem. England’s batters will look to dominate early, but if the match stretches into Day 4–5, spin could become decisive.
Team India’s Players to Watch Out
Shubman Gill: Leading India for the first time in a full overseas series, Gill carries the weight of expectation. His technique against the moving ball will be under scrutiny, but his recent form, particularly in the IPL, makes him a vital anchor at the top.
Jasprit Bumrah: Back to full fitness, Bumrah remains India’s most potent weapon in English conditions. His ability to rip through the surface with the new ball, reverse the old ball, and strike whenever needed makes him indispensable. If India are to win Tests on English soil, Bumrah must lead the charge.
Rishabh Pant: Despite a lackluster IPL, Pant’s dual role as vice-captain and wicketkeeper-batter is pivotal in this series. His counter-attacking style can shift momentum, especially in the lower middle order. His glove work will also be tested on tricky English pitches.
Team England’s Players to Watch Out
Joe Root: The backbone of England’s batting, Root’s experience and mastery in home conditions make him the biggest threat for India. His ability to play spin and pace with equal ease will be crucial, especially if England loses early wickets.
Ben Stokes: As captain and all-rounder, Stokes sets the tone. His aggressive mindset, tactical nous, and ability to deliver game-changing spells or innings make him England’s heartbeat. Expect him to challenge India’s young leadership with bold declarations and field settings.
Chris Woakes: Often underrated, Woakes is lethal in English conditions. His swing bowling at venues like Edgbaston and Lord’s could dismantle India’s top order. With the bat, he adds depth and resilience to England’s lower order. In the twilight of his career, Woakes would be eager to perform well and lead the English bowling lineup.
Who Holds The Edge?
This series is more than just a bilateral contest, it’s a litmus test for two evolving sides. For India, it’s a challenge to prove their mettle post-Kohli-Rohit era. For England, it’s about reasserting dominance at home, fine-tuning their “Bazball” approach, and redeeming their bowling line-up post-Broad-Anderson era.
With five iconic venues, contrasting styles, and World Test Championship points at stake, the India vs England 2025 Test series promises to be a riveting chapter in modern Test cricket. Whether it’s the swing of Leeds, the slope of Lord’s, or the spin at The Oval, every session will count, and all the players will be raring to prove how tough they can be in the challenging English conditions.
