The India vs England Test Series 2025 officially launches the new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27, promising intense red-ball action between two historic cricketing giants. The five-match series begins on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, and will continue across iconic venues such as Lord’s, Edgbaston, Old Trafford, and The Oval.
This series holds high significance as both teams aim to start strong in the race for the WTC final. Historically, India vs England Test Series encounters have been fiercely competitive, dating back to their first meeting in 1932. England leads the overall Test record, but India has gained dominance in recent years, especially at home. However, winning a full Test series in English conditions remains a major challenge for the Men in Blue.
🧢 New Captains, New Eras
This time, both sides feature new leadership dynamics. Shubman Gill takes over as India’s Test captain, leading a young, aggressive squad. Rishabh Pant returns as vice-captain, bringing energy and flair behind the stumps. India’s squad includes Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul.
England, under Ben Stokes, looks to reassert their dominance at home. The squad includes Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Ben Duckett, and potentially Jofra Archer—who may return by the second Test at Edgbaston. The combination of Stokes’ dynamic leadership and Gill’s composed presence sets up an exciting clash of captaincy styles.
🔎 Key Storylines to Watch
India enters the series without two of their biggest stars—Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Despite their absence, ex-England spinner Graeme Swann believes the Indian team still has enough quality to compete at the highest level.
The spotlight also shines on the controversial squad selection. The inclusion of Harshit Rana over Anshul Kamboj in the Indian pace unit has sparked debate. Critics have accused selectors of franchise bias, questioning whether performance in domestic red-ball cricket was overlooked.
Another narrative brewing is Gill’s leadership style, which England’s Jos Buttler praised as a “perfect blend” of Kohli’s fire and Rohit’s calmness—a refreshing shift for Indian Test cricket.
The India vs England Test Series is more than just a cricket battle; it’s a stage for new leaders, bold strategies, and future legends. With WTC points up for grabs, both teams will look to make a strong opening statement in what promises to be an epic summer of Test cricket.
