From the humid cauldrons of Chennai to the swinging skies of Leeds, these Indian debutants are all set to feel the English chill for the very first time in whites
The clock resets. A new World Test Championship cycle begins, and so does a fresh chapter in India's red-ball journey. For many fans, the 2025 England tour already feels different. No Rohit Sharma. No Virat Kohli. No Ashwin. And at the helm? A new captain, Shubman Gill, with Rishabh Pant as his deputy.
India will play five Tests, starting on June 20 at Headingley and concluding in early August at The Oval. While the schedule is familiar, the faces on the team sheet tell a new tale. Several players will don the Test jersey in England for the very first time.
So, who are these players prepared to step into the misty mornings and tricky pitches of England?
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Yashasvi isn't new to away tours; he has impressed in Australia, South Africa, and the Caribbean. However, England presents new questions. Can he handle the early wobble under overcast skies? Will he tame the Dukes ball?
With four Test centuries, two home double centuries against England and an average of 52.88 already, the left-hander has established a solid reputation. Nonetheless, this summer will test his judgement outside off stump more than ever.
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The orange cap holder of IPL 2025 is a smooth driver of the ball in white-ball formats, but Test cricket in England is no soft launch. With only a handful of ODIs and a solitary T20I under his belt, Sudharsan enters the format with quiet potential.
His selection suggests that India is grooming a long-term No. 3 or middle-order backup. A significant knock in the county-like conditions could be the breakout moment he needs.
Nitish Reddy's innings at the MCG against Australia attracted attention, and his all-round statistics – 298 runs and 5 wickets in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy – demonstrate that he can handle pressure. Now, he steps into England's most challenging conditions, where swing, seam, and grey clouds scrutinise technique and temperament.
India will depend on his composure, stroke play, and medium pace when the ball starts to talk.
He's unlikely to earn a start with Pant fit and firing. However, Dhruv Jurel's presence adds depth and security to India's wicketkeeping options. Jurel has featured in four Tests already but will experience the English turf under his spikes for the first time.
Warming the bench in England may not be glamorous, but it's often an education in itself. One injury, one opportunity — and he'll need to be prepared.
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The Bengal pacer made his debut against England at home and showed promise. With 15 wickets in 7 Tests thus far, his next challenge is adapting to away conditions in the absence of veteran Mohammed Shami. England is a bowler's paradise if you find the right length and avoid overpitching.
This tour will assess his stamina, control, and skill against English batters on their own turf.
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India's left-arm seamer has dominated the white ball. With 99 T20I wickets and 14 in ODIs, Arshdeep now enters the realm of long spells and red-ball patience. He has toured England in limited-overs cricket, but Test cricket in this region is a different challenge.
He could be India's secret weapon if he delivers the seam upright, finds a late swing, and bowls to his plans.
