The highly anticipated IND vs ENG 1st Test of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy 2025 kicks off today, June 20, 2025, at 3:30 PM IST, at the iconic Headingley, Leeds, marking the start of a thrilling 5-match Test series. Named in honor of cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson, this series promises intense battles between two cricketing powerhouses. The stage is set for an epic encounter. Dive into our detailed IND vs ENG match preview, pitch report, squad updates, and a top Dream11 prediction to dominate your fantasy leagues.
IND vs ENG 1st Test: Match Preview
England, led by the dynamic Ben Stokes, are coming off a 3-0 whitewash against West Indies in T20Is in June 2025, with Stokes’ all-round prowess and Joe Root’s batting leading the charge. The return of experienced players like Chris Woakes and the inclusion of young talents like Jamie Smith and Shoaib Bashir bolster their squad. England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach will be tested against India’s disciplined bowling attack, especially after their recent 2-0 series win over New Zealand.
Under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, India arrives confidently. With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj spearheading the pace attack, and Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav providing spin options, India’s balanced side aims to dominate early. The return of Rishabh Pant adds firepower, while young guns like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan bring fresh energy. Historically, India lead the Test head-to-head 30-28 in 134 matches, with the last meeting at Dharamsala in March 2024 ending in a 4-1 series win for India.
Headingley, Leeds Pitch Report
The Headingley pitch is known for assisting seam bowlers early due to its green tinge and overcast conditions typical of English summers. The surface offers lateral movement and bounce, favoring pacers like Bumrah and Woakes in the first two days. As the match progresses, the pitch may dry out, providing some turn for spinners like Bashir and Kuldeep, with an average first-innings score around 250-270 in recent Tests. Chasing teams have historically struggled here, with only 3 successful chases in 16 Tests since 2000. Weather on June 20, 2025, is expected to be cloudy with temperatures around 17°C, 70% humidity, and a 25% chance of rain, suggesting a bowler-dominated start.
- Key Factors: Early seam movement, potential spin later, challenging for chasers.
- Toss Prediction: Captains may opt to bowl first to exploit early conditions.
IND vs ENG Squads for 1st Test
England (ENG) Squad
| Wicket-Keepers | Batters | All-Rounders | Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Smith | Zak Crawley | Ben Stokes (C) | Brydon Carse |
| Ollie Pope | Ben Duckett | Chris Woakes | Josh Tongue |
| Joe Root | Jacob Bethell | Shoaib Bashir | |
| Harry Brook | Jamie Overton | ||
| Samuel James Cook |
Key Highlights:
- Captain: Ben Stokes
- Star Players: Joe Root (Batter), Chris Woakes (All-Rounder), Shoaib Bashir (Bowler)
- Strength: Aggressive batting and a strong pace-bowling unit.
India (IND) Squad
| Wicket-Keepers | Batters | All-Rounders | Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rishabh Pant | Shubman Gill (C) | Ravindra Jadeja | Kuldeep Yadav |
| KL Rahul | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Shardul Thakur | Prasidh Krishna |
| Dhruv Jurel | Sai Sudharsan | Washington Sundar | Jasprit Bumrah |
| Karun Nair | Nitish Kumar Reddy | Mohammed Siraj | |
| Abhimanyu Easwaran | Arshdeep Singh | ||
| Akash Deep | |||
| Harshit Rana |
Key Highlights:
- Captain: Shubman Gill
- Star Players: Jasprit Bumrah (Bowler), Ravindra Jadeja (All-Rounder), Yashasvi Jaiswal (Batter)
- Strength: Potent pace and spin bowling with a robust batting lineup.
IND vs ENG Dream11 Prediction for 1st Test
Craft a winning Dream11 team for the IND vs ENG 1st Test by selecting in-form players suited to Headingley’s conditions. Here’s our expert Dream11 prediction (note: Test matches use a points-based fantasy format, focusing on runs, wickets, and contributions over multiple days):
Dream11 Team
- Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant (IND), Jamie Smith (ENG)
- Batters: Joe Root (ENG), Shubman Gill (IND), Yashasvi Jaiswal (IND), Harry Brook (ENG)
- Allrounders: Ben Stokes (ENG), Ravindra Jadeja (IND), Chris Woakes (ENG)
- Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah (IND), Shoaib Bashir (ENG)
- Captain: Joe Root (consistent performer with 300+ runs in recent home Tests)
- Vice-Captain: Jasprit Bumrah (likely to exploit seam-friendly conditions)
Key Players to Watch
- Joe Root: England’s batting stalwart, averaging 50+ at Headingley, a top pick for captaincy.
- Jasprit Bumrah: India’s pace spearhead, with 50+ Test wickets in SENA conditions, crucial for early wickets.
- Rishabh Pant: Known for counterattacking knocks, his 89 at The Oval in 2021 highlights his potential.
- Shubman Gill: As captain, his 104 at Lord’s in 2023 shows his ability to lead with the bat.
- Chris Woakes: Excels at home with 100+ wickets, likely to thrive on Headingley’s seam-friendly pitch.
Why IND vs ENG 1st Test is a Must-Watch
- Tendulkar-Anderson Legacy: The series honors two icons, adding prestige to the rivalry.
- Key Battles: Root vs Jadeja and Bumrah vs Stokes promise fireworks.
- Series Opener: A win here could set the tone for the 5-match series.
How to Watch IND vs ENG 1st Test
- Date & Time: June 20-24, 2025, 3:30 PM IST
- Venue: Headingley, Leeds
- Live Telecast: Star Sports Network (India), Sky Sports (UK)
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar App (India), SkyGo (UK)
- live score: Cricbuzz
Conclusion
The IND vs ENG 1st Test of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy 2025, starting today at 3:30 PM IST at Headingley, Leeds, is set to kick off an epic series with a bang. With England’s home dominance clashing against India’s world-class bowling, this match is a must-watch for cricket fans. Use our pitch report, squad analysis, and Dream11 prediction to elevate your fantasy experience. Who will take the early lead—India or England? Share your predictions in the comments as the action unfolds!