Nair Returns, Sudharsan Debuts As Shubman Gill And Co To Bat First On Test Captaincy Debut

Who won the toss today [Source: @BCCI/x.com]

The stage is set for a riveting five-match Test series as India clashes against England in the battle for supremacy. The first Test will commence at the iconic Headingley, Leeds as both India and England will aim to start the fresh WTC cycle with an emphatic win. Indian side will be without their two talismans, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli but have a new leader in Shubman Gill.

The India buildup towards the series opener

India had a disappointing WTC Cycle 2023-25 as they failed to reach the finals. The side lost back-to-back series against New Zealand and Australia and finished third in the WTC points table. They have a new-looked team under Gill and will look to start the series by putting pressure on the hosts, England.

The last time India played a series in England, they drew it 2-2, and the new-looked team will be hoping of going a step ahead and win the series.

India have already announced that Sai Sudharsan will make his Test debut and the batter has already received his debut cap.

Who won the toss in IND Vs ENG 1st Test?

England won the toss and Ben Stokes had no hesitation in electing to bowl first. The conditions on Day 1 will favour the seamers and Stokes wants to utilise it.

Karun Nair makes his India return after 8 years and Shardul Thakur is also back as India have gone in with 3 pacers, Shardul as the all-rounder and Ravindra Jadeja as the lone spinner.

For England, they have already announced their playing XI and Chris Woakes makes his return, alongside Brydon Carse, who will make his home debut.

IND Vs ENG Playing XIs

IND: Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 KL Rahul, 3 B Sai Sudharsan, 4 Shubman Gill (capt), 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 Karun Nair, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Prasidh Krishna, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed Siraj

ENG: Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Jamie Smith (wk), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Brydon Carse, 10 Josh Tongue, 11 Shoaib Bashir

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