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As India embark on a new era in Test cricket, all eyes turn to their much-anticipated five-match series against England, starting June 20, 2025, at Headingley. With stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having recently retired, the series not only marks the beginning of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle but also a significant transition for Indian cricket. Amidst speculation and uncertainty, former Australia captain Michael Clarke has made a striking prediction.
Michael Clarke predicts the scoreline for the ENG vs IND Test series
Despite the absence of seasoned campaigners like Rohit, Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Mohammed Shami, Clarke remains optimistic about India’s prospects. The team, now led by the young Shubman Gill with Rishabh Pant as his deputy, is brimming with fresh talent. Speaking to the Rev Sportz in an exclusive interview, Clarke acknowledged the inexperience but sees it as a potential advantage, stating, “Players come, players go, people retire, and the game moves on… That does not mean a new captain is the worst thing for India. Somebody retires, and that gives somebody else an opportunity,” Clarke said.
India’s squad features several debutants for English conditions, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, and Yashasvi Jaiswal who bring exuberance and a fearless approach.
Clarke believed that this lack of baggage could allow the team to play uninhibited cricket, he added, “For a lot of these players, it’s going to be their first time to play a five-Test match series in those conditions. Now, that doesn’t mean you can’t win. The positive with that is you can play fearless cricket because you don’t know what you don’t know,”
Clarke also predicted that India will edge out England 3-2 in this marquee contest following all the reasons, and the exuberance of youth in the team.
“It’s going to be 3-2. There you go. I’m going for India. I’m going to watch the Lord’s Test. I’m going to watch India play at Lord’s. So, I am going for India. I want them to win 3-2,” the former Australian skipper stated.
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Clarke names the X factor for India
The bowling attack, while missing the experience of Shami and Ashwin, still boasts significant firepower. Clarke further highlighted the importance of managing Jasprit Bumrah’s workload, with the pacer expected to feature in only three of the five Tests due to fitness concerns. The challenge, Clarke notes, will be to maximize Bumrah’s impact in the matches he plays.
However, the true game-changer, according to Clarke, could be left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav. With England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach under Brendon McCullum, Kuldeep’s ability to seize key moments makes him the “X-factor” for India.
“I think he’s earned the right to be India’s first-pick spinner. I think he’s a match-winner. I think he has an X factor. And I think he will be defining. If India wins the series, I think Kuldeep Yadav could be the difference,” Clarke concluded.
India’s pace battery Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh will further test the English batters, while the new leadership will need to devise smart strategies to counter England’s home advantage.
