The World Test Championship (WTC) 2027 cycle is off to a thrilling start as England and India face off in the first Test of the five-match series at Headingley, Leeds, from June 20 to June 24. With a fresh-looking Indian Test team led by Shubman Gill, and a strong English squad led by Ben Stokes, both sides will be eyeing a crucial early lead in the series.
Match Overview:
Match: England vs India, 1st Test
Venue: Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds
Date & Time: June 20 – 24, 2025 | 7:15 PM IST
Broadcast: Sony Sports Network and JioCinema/Disney+ Hotstar
Weather & Pitch Conditions
Pitch Report:
Average First Innings Score: 298
Matches won batting 1st: 29
Matches won batting 2nd: 36
The pitch at Headingley often provides early movement for pacers, especially under overcast conditions. However, as the game progresses, batting becomes easier. Winning the toss and bowling first could be a wise decision.
Weather Forecast:
Temperature: 29°C
Rain Probability: 10%
Humidity: 40%
The conditions are expected to stay dry and moderately humid, ideal for uninterrupted play and a good contest between bat and ball.
ENG vs IND Head-to-Head (Tests)
Matches Played: 136
England Wins: 51
India Wins: 35
Draws: 50
England hold the upper hand historically, but India have improved significantly in overseas conditions in recent years, making them formidable challengers.
Probable Playing 11
India (IND):
1. KL Rahul, 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3. Karun Nair, 4. Shubman Gill (C), 5. Rishabh Pant (WK), 6. Dhruv Jurel, 7. Nitish Reddy, 8. Ravindra Jadeja, 9. Jasprit Bumrah, 10. Prasidh Krishna, 11. Mohammed Siraj
England (ENG):
1. Ben Duckett, 2. Zak Crawley, 3. Ollie Pope, 4. Joe Root, 5. Harry Brook (VC), 6. Ben Stokes (C), 7. Jamie Smith (WK), 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Brydon Carse, 10. Josh Tongue, 11. Shoaib Bashir
Key Players to Watch
India:
Shubman Gill: Now leading the team, his form and decision-making will be crucial.
Rishabh Pant: Returning to the side, Pant’s batting and glove work can be game-changing.
Jasprit Bumrah: Expected to lead the pace attack and exploit the swing-friendly conditions.
England:
Joe Root: A rock in England’s batting lineup with experience and consistency.
Ben Stokes: As captain and an all-rounder, his role with both bat and ball will be pivotal.
Chris Woakes: Conditions suit his seam bowling perfectly; can be a handful with the new ball.
Match Prediction – Who Will Win the 1st Test?
India are heading into this Test with a new generation of players, some of whom lack experience in English conditions. However, the presence of impactful players like Bumrah, Jadeja, and Pant gives them a fighting chance.
On the other hand, England are more settled with a balanced side and greater experience at home. Given the pitch history, recent performances, and familiarity with conditions:
Predicted Winner: England
They are slightly ahead due to home advantage, a more stable lineup, and better adaptation to Headingley’s conditions. However, if India’s young guns click, it could go down to the wire.
