June 19, 2025 - The 5-match Test series between the Indian cricket team and the England cricket team will begin on June 20. The first Test of the series will be played at the Headingley ground in Leeds. India has not won a Test series in England since 2007. In such a situation, the new captain Shubman Gill will aim to create history in England.

Before the Headingley Test, fans are curious about what could be the playing XI of the Indian team in this match. So, let’s take a look at the possible playing XI of Team India for the first Test.

Yashasvi and KL Can Open

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the Indian batsman who scored the most runs in the last World Test Championship cycle, can open the innings. KL Rahul can partner him. There are three contenders for the number 3 spot – Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair and Sai Sudarshan. However, Nair, who is making a comeback in Test cricket after eight years, might be given a chance.

Gill Can Bat at No. 4

Gill is likely to bat at number 4, while wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant could play at number 5. Pant also hinted at this during the press conference held yesterday, June 18. Sai Sudarshan, who scored heavily in domestic cricket and won the Orange Cap in IPL 2025, can bat at number 6.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja might come in at number 7. Apart from him, four fast bowlers could be included in the playing XI – Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Shardul can contribute with both bat and ball, which will add depth to the Indian batting line-up.

India’s Probable Playing XI

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Sai Sudarshan, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

Full Indian Squad

Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain and wicketkeeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.