Table of Contents
India will embark on a significant five-Test series against England starting June 20, 2025, at Headingley, Leeds, marking the beginning of a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The series will arrive with massive anticipation, not just because of the Bazball challenge posed by Ben Stokes‘ England, but also due to a historic shift in Indian cricket.
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin, three stalwarts of Indian Test cricket, have stepped away from the format, triggering a generational transition. The squad, under a new leadership core, will need to find form and character fast, especially in tough English conditions.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s key strategy to counter England’s Bazball
As the countdown begins, fans and pundits alike are speculating about India’s playing XI. In that context, Ashwin, despite his retirement, offered a detailed and bold take on what India’s lineup should look like for the first Test. The standout aspect of Ashwin’s suggested playing XI is his strong endorsement of Kuldeep Yadav.
Speaking on his Youtube channel, Ashwin argued that India must counter England’s aggressive Bazball strategy with wrist-spin, especially the variation and deception that Kuldeep offers. “Unless the pitch is an absolute green belt, India should not enter the field without Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI. If it’s a green belt they can drop a spinner. Otherwise if they are going to play Bazball, then it’s better to we play the Kul-Ball. This will be my side for the first Test,” Ashwin remarked emphatically.
This recommendation reflects Ashwin’s tactical mindset, knowing that Bazball thrives on predictability and pace, he insists on breaking rhythm through variation and unpredictability, something Kuldeep embodies. He believes Kuldeep could be the game-changer, especially when England looks to accelerate.
R Ashwin’s India XI for the first Test in Headingley
Ashwin’s preferred XI for the Headingley Test reflects a balanced mix of youth and experience, and an openness to explore new combinations in the post Kohli-Rohit era:
- Openers: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Top & Middle order: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja
- Wicketkeeper-Batter: Rishabh Pant
- Batting/All-rounder spot: Karun Nair or Nitish Reddy
- Bowling attack: Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
This lineup suggests a flexible batting unit with multiple left-right combinations and a versatile bowling attack capable of adapting to conditions. Notably, the inclusion of either Karun Nair or Nitish Kumar Reddy is a big statement, both players are seen as capable red-ball players, offering balance at No. 6 or 7. Ashwin’s XI places heavy faith in players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan to step up in the absence of senior leaders. With Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj spearheading the pace attack and Thakur offering all-round value, India still boasts a well-rounded unit, if the young batting core holds firm.
Also READ: BCCI announces India A squad for the upcoming England tour; Abhimanyu Easwaran to lead
