Updated 18 June 2025 at 20:37 IST
IND vs ENG: Chris Woakes And Brydon Carse Return As Ben Stokes-Led England Announce Playing XI
Ahead of the first Test against India at Headingley, Ben Stokes' England have announced their playing XI.
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Ben Stokes during Pakistan vs England series | Image:
AP
England have announced their playing XI for the first Test against India at Headingley. Ben Stokes' men are scheduled to take on Shubman Gill and Co. in a five-match Test series, which will also mark the start of the new World Test Championship cycle for both teams.
Chris Woakes has returned to the team and will be playing his first Test match since December. Bowling all-rounder Brydon Carse will be playing his maiden Test on home soil. Ollie Pope will take up the number 3 while Joe Root will be at No.4. The Three Lons have had the norm of announcing their playing XI a day before a Test match. But this time they did the honours 48 hours before the first ball will be bowled at Headingley on June 20.
England Playing XI Against India In First Test
1. Zak Crawley
2. Ben Duckett
3. Ollie Pope
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook
6. Ben Stokes (C)
7. Jamie Smith (WK)
8. Chris Woakes
9. Brydon Carse
10. Josh Tongue
11. Shoaib Bashir
Captain Shubman Gill To Bat At No. 4
In a press conference, vice-captain Rishabh Pant has confirmed that Shubman Gill will bat at number 4 while he will take up a spot at number five. 'I think there is still discussion going on who's gonna play 3, but definitely 4 and 5 are fixed. I think Shubman is going to bat at number 4, and I'm gonna stick to number 5 as of now and rest, we're gonna keep on discussing about that."
This means either Sai Sudharsan or Karun Nair will be sliding in at the number 3 spot. This will also be the first Test India will be laying without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli since they announced their retirement from Test cricket.
Published 18 June 2025 at 19:22 IST