Table of Contents
The much-anticipated first Test of the 2025 England vs India series is set to unfold at Headingley, Leeds, from June 20 to 24. This match marks the beginning of a five-Test series and a new World Test Championship cycle for India. With Shubman Gill leading a relatively inexperienced Indian side and Ben Stokes captaining a confident England team, the stage is set for a thrilling contest in one of cricket’s most iconic venues.
Both teams’ setup and the challenges ahead
England enter the series with momentum, having won four of their last five series and currently ranked third in the ICC Test rankings. Under the leadership of Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, England has embraced an aggressive “Bazball” style of play, which demands a batting-friendly pitch to maximize strokeplay. The Leeds curator, Richard Robinson, confirmed that England requested a surface conducive to hitting through the line of the ball, aiming to exploit their aggressive batting strengths from the outset.
India, on the other hand, faces a significant transition. The retirements of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have left a void in experience and runs at the top of the order. KL Rahul is now the senior-most batter, and Gill carries the captaincy mantle with a point to prove, especially given his mixed record in SENA conditions. The squad includes promising newcomers like Yashasvi Jaiswal and the returning Karun Nair, but the team’s relative inexperience will be tested on a challenging Leeds surface that has historically not been kind to India, with only two wins in seven Tests at the venue over the last two decades.
Headingley Cricket Ground Pitch Report
The Headingley pitch in Leeds for the first Test between England and India is expected to offer a balanced contest between bat and ball. Traditionally, this surface provides good pace and bounce early on, which should assist the fast bowlers, especially under overcast conditions. As the match progresses, the pitch tends to flatten out, making batting easier during the middle days. However, with some cloud cover and breezy spells forecast for later in the Test, seamers could find movement off the surface, particularly in the mornings. Spinners may come into play only in the latter stages if the pitch wears down, but overall, batters who settle in can score heavily, while bowlers who maintain discipline will always be in the game.
Also READ: Wasim Jaffer picks India’s playing XI for the first Test against England, no place for Nitish Reddy
Weather forecast for five days at Leeds
The weather forecast for Leeds during the Test is a mix of warm spells and intermittent clouds, which could influence pitch behaviour and playing conditions significantly.
- Friday, June 20: The first day is expected to be very warm with temperatures reaching 31°C during the day and dropping to 17°C at night. The sky will feature sun through high clouds with only a 5% chance of rain, providing near-ideal conditions for a full day’s play. Winds will be moderate from the SSE at 13 km/h.
- Saturday, June 21: Similar warm temperatures of 31°C/17°C are forecast, but the day will start with sun and high clouds, turning mostly cloudy in the afternoon with a couple of showers likely. The rain probability rises to 60%, which could disrupt play. Winds will pick up slightly from the south at 17 km/h.
- Sunday, June 22: A cooler day with highs around 22°C and lows near 12°C, accompanied by considerable cloud cover. The chance of rain drops to 4%, so conditions should be mostly dry but less bright. Winds will blow from the WSW at 17 km/h, possibly aiding swing bowlers
- Monday, June 23: The coolest day of the Test with temperatures around 19°C/13°C. It will be breezy with intervals of clouds and sunshine, and a 25% chance of rain. Winds from the west at 22 km/h could assist seam movement, making batting tricky at times.
- Tuesday, June 24: The final day is expected to be mild with 20°C/14°C temperatures and low clouds in the morning, followed by some sun. There is a 25% chance of rain, and winds from the west at 19 km/h will persist. These conditions may favour bowlers trying to force a result on the last day.
Also READ: “Those battles we had…”: Joe Root reflects on Virat Kohli ahead of England Test series
