June 5, 2025
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled a 14-player squad for the opening Test of the five match series against India, set to commence on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. A notable inclusion is Jamie Overton, marking his return to the Test arena after a three-year hiatus.
England Squad for 1st Test vs India
1. Ben Stokes (Captain)
2. Joe Root
3. Ollie Pope (Vice-captain)
4.Zak Crawley
5. Ben Duckett
6. Harry Brook
7. Jamie Smith (Wicketkeeper)
8. Chris Woakes
9. Josh Tongue
10. Brydon Carse
11. Jamie Overton
12. Sam Cook
13. Shoaib Bashir
14. Jacob Bethell
Key Inclusions and Returns:
The squad sees the return of Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse, both recovering from injuries. Woakes is working back from an ankle issue, while Carse is regaining fitness after a toe injury. Both are expected to participate in county matches or England Lions fixtures to build match readiness ahead of the Test.
Jacob Bethell rejoins the squad after missing the Zimbabwe Test due to IPL commitments. His impressive performances during the New Zealand tour in 2024 have kept him in contention for a spot in the playing XI.
Injury Updates:
Gus Atkinson has been ruled out of the first Test due to a hamstring injury sustained during the one-off Test against Zimbabwe. His absence opens opportunities for other seamers in the squad.
Jamie Overton, while included in the squad, is under medical review following a finger injury sustained during a recent ODI against the West Indies. His participation will depend on fitness assessments closer to the match date.
Series Overview
1st Test: June 20–24 at Headingley, Leeds
2nd Test: June 28–July 2 at Edgbaston, Birmingham
3rd Test: July 10–14 at Lord’s, London
4th Test: July 18–22 at Old Trafford, Manchester
5th Test: July 30–August 4 at The Oval, London
This series marks the beginning of a new ICC World Test Championship cycle for both teams. England will be aiming to leverage home conditions, while India seeks to assert dominance early in the championship. England’s selection reflects a blend of experience and emerging talent, aiming to balance immediate performance with long-term team development. The inclusion of players like Overton and Bethell indicates a strategic approach to squad rotation and player management.
As the series approaches, all eyes will be on the fitness of returning players and the final composition of the playing XI. The first Test at Headingley promises to set the tone for what is expected to be a fiercely contested series between two cricketing powerhouses.
