Is This the Perfect Playing XI for India to Beat England in the Test Series?

India’s tour of England is all set to start from 20th June 2025 and with the new Indian team taking on the England team in their backyard. The things will be interesting for the fans who are now looking forward to seeing how well the captain Shubman Gill will address his troops along with the vice-captain Rishabh Pant on the field against the England team. For the England tour, the Indian team has been announced, and the squad features a blend of experienced players and fresh faces ready to make their mark in testing English conditions.

Leading the side is 25-year-old Shubman Gill, one of India’s most promising opening batters. He will be supported by Rishabh Pant, who returns to the squad as vice-captain and a key figure behind the stumps. The batting unit includes a strong mix with the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, and Karun Nair — all capable of handling the moving ball in England and India has also packed their side with all-round options such as Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar, giving the team depth and balance across all departments.

The bowling attack looks solid with experienced pacers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj leading the charge. They’ll be backed by Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep. For spin duties, Kuldeep Yadav brings wrist-spin variety, while Jadeja and Sundar can control the game in the middle overs. Shardul Thakur also features in the squad, known for his knack of picking wickets at key moments and contributing handy runs down the order.

TCNI’s Ideal India Playing XI for the England Test Series 2025

After closely evaluating player statistics and past performances in overseas conditions, here is TCNI’s recommended playing XI for the England Test tour.

Openers: KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal

The two openers for the Indian team in the upcoming England Test series — KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal — bring a mix of experience and explosive form that could prove crucial in challenging English conditions. KL Rahul, a seasoned campaigner, has played 13 Tests against England from 2016 to 2024, scoring 955 runs in 24 innings at an average of 39.79 and his highest score of 199 and three centuries in the period underlines his ability to play long innings.

More importantly, his record in England is particularly impressive — in 9 Tests between 2018 and 2021, Rahul scored 614 runs in 18 innings at an average of 34.11, including two centuries and a best of 149. He is notably the only visiting Test opener in that period to register multiple hundreds on English soil, a testament to his technique and temperament against the moving ball. On the other hand, Yashasvi Jaiswal has burst onto the scene with breathtaking performances and in the series against England in 2024, Jaiswal scored 712 runs in just 9 innings at an astonishing average of 89.00, including a highest score of 214 not out.

He smashed two centuries and three fifties, maintaining a strike rate close to 80. His confidence and attacking style have added a new dimension to India’s top order, and even during the tough series in Australia in 2024–25, he managed 391 runs in 10 innings, averaging 43.44 with a top score of 161. Together, Rahul’s experience and Jaiswal’s flair form a potent opening combination. Their contrasting styles — one steady and assured, the other aggressive and fearless — could be the key to India’s success in swinging English conditions.

Middle Order — Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Karun Nair and Rishabh Pant

After the openers, India’s middle order for the Test series in England looks promising, with a blend of in-form players and experienced campaigners ready to take charge. With tough English conditions ahead, this middle unit will be key to holding the innings together and countering the moving ball. Sai Sudharsan is one of the fresh faces likely to make his Test debut. The left-hander impressed in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season for Tamil Nadu, scoring 304 runs in just 4 innings at a strong average of 76.00. His top score of 213 highlights his ability to play big knocks, and he could slot in at number three — a vital position that demands both patience and control.

Shubman Gill, India’s new captain, will likely bat at number four. While his overall numbers against England read 592 runs in 18 innings at an average of 37.00 with two centuries, his record in England is a concern. In 6 innings across 3 Tests in English conditions, Gill has managed just 88 runs at an average of 14.66. Despite those struggles, his leadership role may push him to step up and deliver when it matters most.

Karun Nair is making a comeback and could be slotted in at number five, and though he has played only 3 innings against England, he boasts a phenomenal average of 160.00, thanks to his unbeaten 303 — a historic knock. He has also piled up runs in domestic cricket recently, making a strong case for inclusion.

At number six, the ever-reliable Rishabh Pant is expected to be the game-changer and across 12 Tests against England, Pant has scored 781 runs at an average of 39.05, including three centuries. In England alone, he has 556 runs in 17 innings at 32.70 with two centuries, including a memorable ton at The Oval. His fearless style, especially in overseas conditions, makes him a valuable asset in the middle-order. Together, this middle-order combines youth, comeback stories, and aggressive match-winners.

All-Rounders — Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja

In the All-Rounders option, India has two experienced and impactful players in Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur for the upcoming Test series in England. Both have delivered key performances in the past and will play important roles with both bat and ball in English conditions and Ravindra Jadeja has had a long history against England in Tests. With the bat, he has scored 1031 runs in 33 innings at an average of 33.25, including 2 centuries and 6 fifties.

In England, he has played 12 matches and scored 642 runs at 29.18 with a century and three half-centuries, showing that he can hold the lower-middle order together when needed. With the ball, Jadeja has taken 70 wickets against England in 37 innings at an average of 32.57. However, in England specifically, his numbers dropped slightly by 27 wickets from 21 innings at an average of 43.48. His best bowling figures in England are 4 for 79. Still, Jadeja’s economy rate of just 2.71 proves how valuable he can be in controlling the game from one end.

Shardul Thakur, known as the “Lord” for his game-changing knocks and breakthroughs, has played 3 Tests against England. With the bat, he has scored 122 runs at 24.40, including two memorable fifties. In England, including the World Test Championship final, he has scored 173 runs in 7 innings at 24.71, again with two fifties, showing his knack for scoring when the team is under pressure. With the ball, Shardul has taken 10 wickets in England across 8 innings at an average of 37.10. His best figures are 4 for 78, and though his average is slightly on the higher side, his ability to break partnerships at key moments makes him a handy bowler.

Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna

India’s pace attack looks formidable as they gear up for the England series, led by the fiery trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna. Bumrah, India’s bowling maestro, has a stellar record against England. From 2018 to 2024, he’s played 14 Tests, snaring 60 wickets in 26 innings at an impressive 22.16 average. His best haul of 6/45 and three five-wicket hauls underline his dominance. In England, he’s been equally lethal, grabbing 37 wickets in 9 Tests at 26.27, with two five-wicket hauls, proving he thrives in their conditions.

Mohammed Siraj, with his fiery pace and swing, is a perfect foil for Bumrah. Since 2021, he’s taken 27 wickets in 11 Tests against England at a 34.74 average. In England, he’s shone brighter, claiming 23 wickets in 6 matches at 34.00, with a best of 34.00. 4/32. Siraj’s aggression and ability to strike at crucial moments make him a vital cog in India’s attack, consistently troubling England’s batters with his movement.

Prasidh Krishna, the young gun, is still finding his feet in Test cricket but shows real promise and in 3 Tests from 2023 to 2025, he’s picked up 8 wickets in 5 innings at 29.62, with a best of 3/42. Though yet to bowl in England, his height, pace, and natural seam movement could exploit those lively pitches, making him a potential game-changer as the third seamer. This trio’s blend of experience, aggression, and raw talent gives India a potent edge, ready to challenge England’s batting lineup on their home turf.