The stage is set for a thrilling encounter between India and England at Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds. Led by Shubman Gill, the Indian team will face off against their English counterparts in the first Test of the series, starting June 20. This match marks India’s first Test series since the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Ashwin, leaving a void that the young team will look to fill.
A look back at the history books reveals that Headingley has not been a happy hunting ground for India. In their last outing at this venue in August 2021, England emerged victorious by an innings and 76 runs. KL Rahul managed just 8 runs in the match, while Rishabh Pant scored a mere 2 runs in the first innings and 1 run in the second. However, the bowling duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj did manage to pick up 2 wickets each.
India’s overall record at Headingley is not impressive, with just 2 wins in 7 Tests played. Their last win at this venue came in 2002, while England has won 3 matches and 1 has ended in a draw. The Indian team will look to turn the tide in their favor, with a mix of experienced players and young talent.
The match will begin at 3:30 PM IST on June 20, with the toss scheduled for 3:00 PM IST. Star Sports Network will broadcast the match live in India, while fans can also catch the action on JioHotstar.
Here’s a look at the Indian squad:
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- B Sai Sudharsan
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
- Karun Nair
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Dhruv Jurel
- Washington Sundar
- Shardul Thakur
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Akash Deep
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
As the teams take to the field, one thing is certain – this series will be a test of character for the young Indian team. Will they rise to the occasion and create history, or will England’s experience prove too much to handle? Only time will tell.