A five-match Test series between India and England is set to begin on Friday, 20th June. The first Test will take place at Headingley, Leeds. England has announced their playing XI for the opening Test on Wednesday. Star pacer Chris Woakes has made a comeback after six months. He last played a Test match against New Zealand in December 2025. Woakes returns to the side after recovering from an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, Jacob Bethell has not been included in the squad. Ollie Pope has been preferred over Bethell to bat at No. 3. Although Bethell had impressed with three half-centuries on the New Zealand tour last year, Pope’s recent 171-run innings against Zimbabwe in a one-off Test turned the tide in his favour. England Cricket’s Managing Director, Rob Key, had earlier hinted that the decision would not impact the long-term future of either player.
Pope doesn’t have an impressive record against India at home, scoring just 147 runs in four matches with an average of 21. However, he does have a memorable performance against India to his name — a crucial 196-run knock in Hyderabad last year that helped England win.
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will open the innings, while Joe Root will bat at No. 4. Jamie Smith retains his place as the wicketkeeper-batter. In the pace bowling department, Woakes will be joined by Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse. Carse will be playing his first home Test, having debuted against Pakistan last year and played five Tests so far.
With Gus Atkinson ruled out due to a hamstring injury, Brydon Carse is expected to share the new ball. He had previously impressed in this role during an ODI series against the West Indies. Shoaib Bashir will be the lone spinner in the XI. According to Headingley’s head groundsman Richard Robinson, the pitch is likely to assist pacers initially but could flatten out due to expected warm weather.
England’s Playing XI for the 1st Test vs India:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir.