ENG vs IND 1st Test Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today’s Match Between India And England?

IND vs ENG 1st Test Winner Prediction [Source: @shortarmjab77, @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]

India and England are all set to square off in the opening Test of a five-match series starting Friday, June 20, at Headingley in Leeds. The match kicks off at 3:30 PM IST and promises high-octane drama.

India

India’s Test side has entered an uncharted era. With no Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, the limelight is on new skipper Shubman Gill. He is likely to bat at No.4, allowing Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul to open the innings. Karun Nair is expected to fill the No.3 slot while Rishabh Pant will bat at No. 5 and his role in the middle order will be key, especially in counterattacking situations.

With Ravindra Jadeja as the sole spinner, India will bank heavily on pace. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are automatic picks, while the third seamer could be either Prasidh Krishna or Arshdeep Singh. Shardul Thakur’s ability to chip in with bat and ball strengthens India’s lower order. If conditions swing, Nitish Kumar Reddy might be a wildcard. Otherwise, India could play Dhruv Jurel as a specialist batter and backup keeper.

England

England have gone ahead and named their XI well in advance. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will look to give a flying start, while Ollie Pope and Joe Root hold the middle fort. Harry Brook will be under the scanner as well, hoping to fire against India's pace unit.

Jamie Smith will don the gloves. Skipper Ben Stokes is back in the groove and will look to inspire the relatively young bowling attack featuring Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue and spinner Shoaib Bashir. With James Anderson and Stuart Broad gone, this is a massive opportunity for England’s next-gen pacers to step up and consolidate their spots.

ENG vs IND Head-to-Head Records In Tests

---

ALSO READ

Shubman Gill To Bat At Virat Kohli's Number 4 Position In England Tests, Confirms Pant

---

How Will The Headingley Pitch Behave?

Headingley has always been a tricky place for batters early on. There is bounce, there’s seam, and if clouds linger, things can get difficult for top-order players. The pitch traditionally aids fast bowlers, especially in the first session. That is why teams often choose to bowl first after winning the toss.

Interestingly, of the 81 Tests hosted at this ground, 34 have been won by the team bowling first. Though the average scores dip through the innings, batting in the second innings has historically been more manageable. As a result, the captain winning the toss is likely to field first.

Players to Watch Out For In IND vs ENG 1st Test

India

Yashasvi Jaiswal

In the last 10 Tests, Yashasvi Jaiswal has racked up 770 runs at an average of 40.53 and a healthy strike rate of 60.58. He is India’s dash of flair up top and can take the sting out of England’s pace attack early on.

Jasprit Bumrah

The spearhead of India’s pace battery, Jasprit Bumrah has 46 wickets in his last 9 Tests at an economy of 2.84 and a strike rate of 31.47. He is lethal with the new ball and a nightmare even on flat decks.

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant has amassed 677 runs in his last 10 Tests at an average of 37.61 and a cracking strike rate of 73.58. Expect fireworks if he gets going.

England

Joe Root

With 979 runs in his last 10 Tests, Joe Root is the glue of England’s batting. He averages over 61 in that period and is the most technically solid batter in the side. He also knows Headingley like the back of his hand, having produced some memorable innings here.

Harry Brook

Harry Brook has become a BazBall poster boy, scoring 961 runs in his last 10 Tests at a strike rate of 86.49. He willl be itching to make a statement against a world-class Indian bowling unit.

Brydon Carse

A rising star in England’s bowling unit, Carse has picked up 27 wickets in his last five matches at an economy of 3.43 and a strike rate of 34.7. He can be a game-changer on helpful tracks.

Today’s Match Prediction: ENG vs IND 1st Test

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant
England: Joe Root, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse

ENG vs IND 1st Test: Predicted Score

Predicted first innings score: 270-300
Predicted second innings score: 250-280
Predicted third innings score: 300-330
Predicted fourth innings score: 330-360

Predicted Result: Depending on the conditions, the team bowling first will have an edge in the match.

---

ALSO READ

"It Feels So Good…," Rishabh Pant On Absence Of Anderson And Broad From England's Squad

---