Shubman Gill set for first game in charge as England host India in Headingley
England v India | 1st Test | 20-25 June | Headingley, Leeds | 12:00pm
India have won each of their last four Tests against England – admittedly each of those games were played in India.
England are currently ranked third in the world with India sitting at four. The sides are behind only South Africa and Australia, the two sides who faced each other in the recent final of the WTC.
England’s Joe Root and Harry Brook are currently the top two ranked batsmen in Test cricket. India’s top two are Yashasvi Jaiswal (at four) and Rishabh Pant, who is eighth.
The top ranked Test bowler is India’s Jasprit Bumrah with Ravindra Jadeja the next highest Indian player at ten. There are no England bowlers in the top ten, with their best bowler the 13th ranked Gus Atkinson. Despite Atkinson being their highest ranked bowler he has been dropped from the side that beat Zimbabwe last time out – Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse have been named in the playing Xi ahead of Sam Cook and Atkinson.
India is very much a side in transition – they have a new captain and a fresh and youthful look with no Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli or Ravi Ashwin, who have all retired.
India last played a game of Test cricket in January, when they were beaten by Australia in a low scoring fifth Test in Sydney – a game that saw Jasprit Bumrah leading the team.
England have played Test cricket more recently than India; they had an outing against Zimbabwe at the end of May – a game they won comfortably by an innings and 45 runs.
England have announced their team for the first Test early, confirming that Ollie Pope will bat at number three with Jacob Bethell missing out.
Venue: Headingley, Leeds
India have won just two of the seven Tests they have played at Headingley.
England’s record in Leeds is more impressive – they have a win percentage of 46.25 at the ground (37 wins from 80 Tests). England also have the best loss percentage at Headingley, having lost just 25 games there (31.25%).
The highest score made at the venue was a whopping 653 for four made by Australia in 1993.
England have won the last five Tests played at Headingley. They are undefeated at the venue since 2018.
Weather:
It’s summer in England, which means (just like winter), one thing is for certain – it is likely to rain. There is no rain predicted for Friday, but the long-range forecast suggests showers on Saturday and Sunday and on Tuesday (if the game lasts into a fifth day). It is due to reach a peak of 28 degrees on the first two days before cooling as the game goes on. While there are likely to be interruptions for rain, it is unlikely to curtail the Test too much.
Form (most recent game first):
England: W, L, W, W, L.
India: L, L, D, L, W.
Key player:
England, Joe Root: The former England captain is the top ranked batsman in the world and not without reason. He has been in great form in recent Tests with five Test tons in the space of the last year – including a massive 262 against Pakistan in Multan. Root is one of the all-time great batsmen with over 13000 Test runs to his credit at an average of 50.80. He thrives on big occasions, and it doesn’t get much bigger than a home Test against India.
India, Rishabh Pant: Mercurial and dashing, Pant is the vice-captain of this Indian team. He came under fire in Australia in India’s last series where he played too many irresponsible shots. He can change games quickly, but sometimes Test matches need restraint and defence rather than all-out attack. If Pant can pick his moments, he has the ability to be a major influence on the game. England will fear his abilities, but he must avoid giving his wicket away.
Verdict: England
England have played more recently, they are playing at home, and they are a more settled combination. India’s big trump card is world number one bowler Jasprit Bumrah, but he up against a formidable batting line-up that his headed by Joe Root. As much as India are full of talent and potential, this should be England’s game.
