Headingley, Leeds is set to host a high-stakes Test as India and England face off in the series opener under surprisingly dry summer conditions.

While the pitch showed some grass ahead of the match, the unusually dry English weather is expected to make it flatter and less bowler-friendly than usual.

England won the toss and chose to bowl first, putting the pressure on Shubman Gill’s young Indian side.

Gujarat Titans Core Leads India’s XI

India’s playing XI reflects a strong IPL influence—particularly from Gujarat Titans.

Four players from the franchise feature in the starting lineup: captain Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj (Purple Cap winner), Prasidh Krishna, and debutant Sai Sudharsan (Orange Cap winner). Karun Nair also makes a return to the national side after a long absence, adding experience to the middle order.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul will open the innings, tasked with providing a solid start.

In the middle order, debutant Sudharsan joins Gill and Nair, while Rishabh Pant retains the gloves and remains a potential game-changer with the bat. All-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur add balance, and the pace attack—led by Jasprit Bumrah—is completed by Siraj and Krishna.

Under Ben Stokes, England have gone with a balanced squad. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will open, followed by the solid pairing of Ollie Pope and Joe Root in the middle order.

Harry Brook brings his trademark aggression, while Stokes continues to anchor the all-round duties. Young Jamie Smith takes over the wicketkeeping role.

The bowling unit includes veteran Chris Woakes and promising pacers Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue. On a dry surface, Shoaib Bashir will handle spin responsibilities.

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (capt), Rishabh Pant (wk), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir