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India are set to begin its new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with a five-match Test series against England, starting June 20, 2025, at Headingley, Leeds. This tour not only marks the beginning of the WTC 2025-27 cycle but also signals a transitional phase for Indian cricket following the retirement of stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
India’s much-anticipated five-match Test series against England
The much-anticipated England versus India Test series will span across iconic venues in the UK. After the opener at Headingley, the second Test will be staged at Edgbaston in Birmingham from July 2, followed by the third Test at the prestigious Lord’s Cricket Ground beginning July 10. Both teams will then enjoy a rare nine-day break before resuming battle in the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester on July 23.
The series will culminate at The Oval in London, a venue that has witnessed many memorable Indo-English clashes. Historically, England have posed one of India’s toughest overseas challenges, and despite coming close in 2021, when the five-Test series ended in a 2-2 draw, India have not won a Test series on English soil since Rahul Dravid’s team achieved the feat in 2007. The upcoming contest, therefore, offers India not just a chance for redemption but also the opportunity to reestablish their dominance in red-ball cricket under a new leadership core.
Michael Clarke’s bold prediction for India’s No. 3 in England Test series
Few endorsements in world cricket carry as much weight as those from former Australian skipper Michael Clarke. With a new captain at the helm in Shubman Gill and a restructured batting order, all eyes are on the emerging players who will be entrusted with key roles.
Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Clarke described Sai Sudharsan as a future superstar, noting that the youngster possesses the technical attributes and mental strength required to succeed in Test cricket. Clarke emphasized that Sudharsan is not just a white-ball phenomenon but has the foundation to thrive in red-ball cricket, especially at No. 3, a position that demands the ability to handle the new ball, build an innings patiently, and anchor the batting unit in foreign conditions.
According to Clarke, Sudharsan’s composure, compact technique, and range of strokes make him an ideal fit for this demanding role. He further added that while Sudharsan could eventually open the batting in white-ball formats for India, the immediate focus should be on nurturing him as a dependable No. 3 in Tests.
“To me, this kid is a superstar, Sai Sudharsan. I think he is a number three in Test cricket. I think he is probably going to open the batting in time in India’s T20I and ODI team. He is in their Test squad. He gets his first opportunity in England. I think he can walk in straight to bat at number three. I think technically he’s very good, he’s got all the shots, and mentally, he’s ready. He really impressed me and he’s a good looking player as well,” Clarke said.
Sudharsan’s cricketing journey is a testament to persistence, skill, and adaptation. Hailing from Tamil Nadu, the 23-year-old southpaw had already established himself as a reliable performer in India’s domestic circuit before making waves in the IPL. In 29 first-class matches, Sudharsan has accumulated 1957 runs at an average nearing 40, an indicator of his consistency and appetite for big innings in the longer format. However, it was in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 that Sudharsan’s reputation skyrocketed. Opening for Gujarat Titans, he emerged as the tournament’s top scorer, amassing 759 runs in just 15 innings at an average of 54.21 and a staggering strike rate of 156.17. His ability to adapt to different match situations, whether it was anchoring the innings or accelerating with intent, demonstrated a maturity beyond his years.
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