From seasoned warriors to rising sensations, England have their weapons ready — can India’s fresh-faced squad handle the firestorm?
There’s a new chapter waiting to be written. India’s five-match Test series in England, beginning on June 20, promises drama, duels, and a challenging road ahead.
India's new captain, Shubman Gill, will lead a side missing key players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin as they take on one of the toughest challenges in world cricket: facing England in their home ground.
Since their first Test series win in England back in 1971, India have managed only two more series victories. The last came in 2007. Now, 17 years later, they’re back, hoping to end that long drought. But standing in their way are five Englishmen ready to steal the show.
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Ben Stokes is more than just England’s captain. He’s their crisis man, their showman, and their most dangerous all-rounder. With 6,728 Test runs and 197 wickets to his name, his impact is undeniable. His batting average may have dipped against India (24.92 in 21 Tests), but writing him off is at your own peril.
At home, Stokes knows precisely how to swing the momentum. With the ball, he can find the proper lengths, and with the bat, he can change gears in an instant. If the pitch offers movement and the moment calls for magic, expect Stokes to rise.
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Joe Root has developed a knack for accumulating runs against India. He has played against India in 30 Tests, scoring 2,846 runs at an average of 58 while also achieving 10 centuries along the way. His calm demeanour at No. 4 establishes him as the backbone of England’s batting order.
With over 13,000 Test runs to his credit, Root does not merely survive — he dominates the tempo. He is capable of waiting, nudging, and driving you mad with his patience. India’s bowlers will need to bring their very best to silence him.
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Ben Duckett brings a refreshing aggression to England’s top order. Averages don’t always tell the whole story, but with 2,410 Test runs at a strike rate of 86.78, Duckett is no slow starter. He recently scored a fine 140 against Zimbabwe and has hit two tons in his last 11 innings.
Against India, he has amassed 361 runs in seven Tests, with a century to his name. If Duckett starts strong, particularly when the ball is new, he can dismantle any rhythm that India’s attack hopes to establish.
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Chris Woakes is a different beast in England. At home, he averages 21.88 with the ball and has taken 137 wickets in 34 Tests. His numbers against India aren’t shabby either — 23 wickets in just nine matches.
His strength lies in his ability to move the ball both ways, even when conditions don’t appear threatening. Add to that his batting — over 1,700 Test runs — and you have a genuine all-rounder who can change games with either discipline.
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Harry Brook is the wild card. With just 25 Tests under his belt, he already boasts an average of nearly 60 and a highest score of 317. He has scored eight centuries and eleven fifties, including significant knocks against New Zealand and steady performances against Zimbabwe recently.
Brook doesn’t just score — he attacks, disrupts, and breaks the mould. His fearless approach could unsettle India’s relatively new bowling combination, especially without a full-strength pace attack.
