India’s five -match Test series, starting in Headingley from 20 June, will begin a new era of Indian Test cricket with a tour of England. This will be the first time after retiring from the Tests of veterans like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin when the Indian team is visiting England without these three players. Under the leadership of Shubman Gill and in the coaching of Gautam Gambhir, this young team would like to have a strong start of the new World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. The 18 -member team consists of many talented players, but some players may have to stay out of the playing XI in view of the circumstances and team combinations of England. In such a situation, let us tell about the 3 players who are looking difficult to play in England.
Abhimanyu Ishwar- may have to wait
Abhimanyu Ishwar, who has done well for domestic cricket and India A, may once again stay out of the playing XI despite getting a place in the Test team. He recently scored an innings of 80 runs against England Lions, which was his seventh half -century for India A.
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In the top order of the team, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul are considered to be almost fixed in the first two opening slots. Karun Nair and Sai Sudarshan have competition for number 3, while captain Shubman Gill will play at number 4. In this situation, no slot looks available for Ishwaran.
Kuldeep Yadav- England’s pitch and record may be heavy
Left-arm Chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who has 56 wickets in 13 Tests, can stay out of playing XI in England’s Seeming Conditions. Ravindra Jadeja is being considered almost fixed as the first spinner in the team. If Jadeja is rested, India can give preference to Washington Sundar, which is a better all -round option.
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History suggests that India usually descends with the same spinner in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia), which reduces Kuldeep’s chances.
Dhruv Jurael- will be limited in backup role
Dhruv Jurlel, a young wicketkeeper-batsman who performs brilliant performance against England Lions (94 and 53), has been included as a backup keeper in this tour. Rishabh Pant, who is returning from injury, is also the vice -captain of the team and will play at number 5. Even in Pant’s absence, India can entrust the responsibility of wicketkeeping to KL Rahul.
Apart from this, all -rounders like Shardul Thakur or Nitish Reddy are likely to get preference to strengthen the lower order in the team, which can also limit the chance for Jurae as a specialist batsman.
18 -member Indian team for England tour: Shubman Gill (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Rishabh Pant (Deputy Captain/Wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Juril (wicketkeeper), Abhimanyu Ishwar, Shardul Thakur, Jaspreet Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, famous Krishna, Karun Nair, Kulne Nair, Kulpadh Singh, Kuldeep, Kuldeep, Kuldeep, Kuldeep, Kuldeep, Kulpadh, Kulpadh, Kulpandar, Kulpandar, Kulpadh, Kulpandar, Kulla Yadav
Full schedule of India vs England Test series:
First Test: 20-24 June, 2025 – Headingley, Leeds
Second Test: 2-6 July, 2025 – Edgbaston, Birmingham
Third Test: 10-14 July, 2025 – Lords, London
Fourth Test: 23-27 July, 2025 – Old Trafford, Manchester
Fifth Test: 31 July -4 August, 2025 – The Oval, London