England vs India Test Series 2025 at Leeds is thick with tension. The India vs England Test Series will be a chess match in the absence of Rohit and Kohli. And Rishabh Pant, grinning like a man who knows secrets, just made his opening move.
Table of Contents
Gill at 4, Pant at 5 – The Only Certainties in India’s New Era
No Rohit. No Kohli. Just a fresh, hungry India. At Wednesday’s presser, Pant leaned back, dropped two truths, and left everyone guessing the rest:
- “I think there is still discussion going on who’s going to play at three but definitely four and five are fixed. I think Shubman is going to bat at number 4 and I’m going to stick to number five as of now and rest we are going to keep on discussion about that.”
Typical Pant. Teasing, confident, infuriatingly vague.
The No. 3 Conundrum: Rahul’s Safe, But Sudharsan’s the Wildcard
The real drama? Who walks out at first wicket down?
- KL Rahul – The safe bet. But he’s been shaky against the swinging Dukes ball.
- Sai Sudharsan – The dark horse. Left-handed, ice-cool, and hungry.
- Karun Nair – The romantic pick. 2016’s 303* feels like yesterday.
“Discussion about that,” Pant shrugged. But his smirk? That said everything.
Leaked dressing room chatter: Rahul might open, letting Sudharsan unleash at No. 3. Bold. Risky. Very un-India.
England’s Countermove: Woakes Returns, Pope Over Bethell
England didn’t wait. Their XI? A statement:
- Crawley – Flamboyant but fragile.
- Duckett – Will charge Bumrah’s first ball.
- Pope – Bethell’s axing proves England still trusts experience.
- Root – Obviously.
- Brook – The hype’s faded. Time to deliver.
- Stokes (c) – Limping? Maybe. Dangerous? Always.
- Smith (wk) – Bairstow who?
- Woakes – England’s silent assassin.
- Carse – Quick, mean, and underrated.
- Tongue – Could be wild or wicket-taking.
- Bashir – The new kid vs India’s spin bashers.
Woakes at 8 is sneaky good. England’s batting runs deep—they’ll go for the jugular.
Key Battles That’ll Decide the England vs India Test Series 2025 1st Test
1. Pant vs Bashir – The Entertainer vs The Rookie
Bashir’s tall, loopy off-spin vs Pant’s audacity. Either a 20-ball 50 or a hilarious stumping.
2. Jaiswal vs Woakes – Fire vs Ice
Woakes loves nibbling it away. Jaiswal loves smashing it. Something’s gotta give.
3. Gill vs Pope – The Future Stars Collide
Both are at career crossroads. Who steps up?
Final Verdict: Why This Test Could Redefine Both Teams
India’s hiding their cards. England’s gone all-in.
- If Sudharsan plays, it’s a new, aggressive India.
- If Woakes swings it early, India’s top order crumbles (again).
- If Pant goes berserk, Leeds might need a new roof.
One prediction? It won’t be boring.
Stay tuned with Sports Dribble and its Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts for updates!
My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.