The countdown has begun for the high-stakes five-match Test series between India and England, with the opening encounter set to begin on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.
Both teams are raring to go, but for India, this match carries added significance as it marks the start of a new era under the leadership of Shubman Gill. The young captain will be looking to begin his red-ball captaincy journey with a win and give India an early 1-0 lead in the series.
India’s Test Record at Headingley
Headingley has not traditionally been a happy hunting ground for India. The team first played here in 1952, a match that ended in defeat. Since then, India has featured in seven Tests at this iconic venue, with mixed results:
Tests Played: 7
India Wins: 2
Draws: 1
England Wins: 4
The last time India played a Test at Headingley was in 2021, under Virat Kohli’s captaincy, where they suffered a heavy defeat. Now, with a revamped squad and fresh leadership, India will return to Headingley aiming to reverse its fortunes and start the series strong.
Headingley: A Ground That Favors Chasers
Over the years, Headingley has hosted 84 Test matches, and the statistics hint at interesting trends:
Wins batting first: 29
Wins batting second: 36
Draws: Remaining matches
Seamers have traditionally enjoyed conditions at this ground, especially early in the match, which could play a crucial role in shaping the opening Test.
IND probable Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav / Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
ENG Playing XI: Jack Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir
As Shubman Gill takes charge for the first time in Tests, all eyes will be on how India approaches the Headingley challenge. With a talented squad and renewed energy, can India overcome history and make a statement in Leeds?
