England announces playing XI for first Test vs India

On Wednesday, June 18, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced England’s playing XI, led by Ben Stokes, for the first Test against India, scheduled to start on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. 

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Notably, India and England are all set to play a five-match Test series in the new WTC 2025-27 cycle. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announcing their Test retirements prior to this tour, Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new Test captain.

Moving into the details of the playing XI announced by England, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will open the innings, while Ollie Pope, who has been out of form at No.3, has retained his batting position.

On the other hand, Joe Root continues to stay at the No.4 position. Harry Brook and Ben Stokes are the other batting options in the playing XI, while Jamie Smith is the keeper-batter. It is important to note that Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse will share the new ball.

Meanwhile, Josh Tongue and Shoaib Bashir have retained their positions in the XI, with Gus Atkinson still recovering from a hamstring injury, while Ben Stokes completes England’s pace attack.

It’s worth noting that this will be Brydon Carse’s first home Test after playing five Tests in Pakistan and New Zealand, scalping 27 wickets in those games.

"Headingley is an unbelievable ground. I've played a bit of white-ball cricket here over the last couple of years… but to be able to play a home Test against India is going to be pretty exciting and I cannot wait to get going,” he said.

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"There has been a little bit of discussion around that. I'm relishing that opportunity, if that is what it is. I opened the bowling during the one-day series [against West Indies] and felt comfortable and confident,” he added.

England playing XI for the first Test vs India: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ben Stokes (c), 7 Jamie Smith (wk), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Brydon Carse, 10 Josh Tongue, 11 Shoaib Bashir.

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