Gill At 4; GT Opener Likely To Bat At Number 3: India's Probable XI For 1st Test vs ENG

India's probable playing XI [Source: @CricketTimesHQ/x.com]

The new-looked Indian team will embark on a new journey as their World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle begins with the 5-match Test series against England, starting on June 20. The first Test will be played at the iconic Headingley, Leeds. The Asian giants will enter the series with a new leader in Shubman Gill.

The Indian selectors have picked an interesting team for the series and with the first Test match starting on Friday, we look at India's probable XI, with a couple of interesting changes.

Opening pair set, debut for GT opener?

The opening pair of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal did well on the Australian tour and were one of the few bright spots in an otherwise horrendous series. The pair will once again have the responsibility to steer India off to a good start on a tricky wicket at Headingley.

This will be KL Rahul's third tour of England, while Jaiswal will play his first but the team management will be confident in the pair's ability to absorb the pressure and counter-punch the England bowlers.

Now, there is Karun Nair who can bat at number 3 but the coach and the captain have hinted at the inclusion of GT and Tamil Nadu batter, Sai Sudharsan. With a rock-solid technique and the experience of playing in English County, Sudharsan can bring loads of quality at that spot.

(Sai Sudharsan stats in FC)

• He doesn't boast the best of stats in First-Class cricket but the batter should be selected purely on the basis of his extraordinary batting technique, a trait which is required in English conditions to succeed.

Karun Nair at 5?

Out of his 374 runs in Tests, 321 have come in at number 5, and it also includes his famous triple ton Vs England. He did well against England Lions in the practice matches and should be an automatic starter at number 5. With him being at 5, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, the two southpaws can bat at 6, and 7 as it will bolster the Indian batting lineup.

Shardul at 8, but no place for Nitish Kumar Reddy

One of India's most reliable player in English conditions has to be included in the playing XI and Shardul Thakur should play at number 8. He can give batting depth, he can take wickets as well and has an impeccable record.

Why Shardul over Nitish Reddy?

(Shardul Thakur stats in England)

• Three fifties as a lower-order batter showcases his class in tricky conditions. He also has done decently with the ball in hand in England.
• Nitish Reddy has no prior experience of playing in England and with the top 6 stacked, there is no place to accommodate the star all-rounder.

Siraj to partner Bumrah, Kuldeep to be the second spinner

Jasprit Bumrah's selection is a no-brainer and he should be the first name on the team sheet but why no Prasidh Krishna over Siraj?. Krishna did well in the IPL recently but for the first Test, team India is likely going to persist with experience and Siraj has the experience of playing in England.

Why Kuldeep in place of an extra pacer?

• Under normal circumstances, Kuldeep Yadav shouldn't be in the playing XI since Headingley supports the pacers but recently the weather in Leeds has been hot and humid as the curator has left a bit of grass covering on the surface. 
• In such a scenario, the pacers will get assistance on the first couple of days but as the sun beats down, the pitch will get dry and the spinners will come into action. Hence, Kuldeep to partner Jaddu.

India's Probable XI For 1st Test Vs England

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Karun Nair, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

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