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STUMP VISION JUNE 20, 2025 | The Indian Eye 40

England Hold the Edge as India’s

Young Guns Face First Test

With India entering a new era of Test cricket without stalwarts Virat Kohli

and Rohit Sharma, the upcoming five-match series against England promises

a battle between youthful ambition and seasoned firepower.

OUR BUREAU
London

s India prepares to face England in a
much-anticipated five-Test series from June
A20 to August 4, the scales appear slightly
tilted in England’s favor. Not just because they are
playing at home, but because the Indian team is
undergoing a significant transition—with a young,
relatively inexperienced squad and a new captain
at the helm.
Former England spinner Monty Panesar
summed up the sentiment: “England will benefit
from the fact that Virat and Rohit are not play-
ing. Their experience could have been used for
India. Without them, India look inexperienced.”
Indeed, this marks India’s first bilateral Test series
since the retirement of Kohli and Sharma, icons
who were the backbone of India’s batting for more
than a decade.
Shubman Gill, the 25-year-old opener entrust-
ed with the captaincy, leads a side filled with prom-
ise but short on proven Test credentials in English Indian Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir with Test Captain Shubman Gill during a press conference ahead
conditions. While Gill’s leadership potential is of leaving for England (ANI)
acknowledged—Panesar believes he “will bat well
with responsibility”—the challenge of managing
swing, seam, and English pressure is real. can still pose significant challenges with the ball. fresh talent, much like India is doing—but with the
England, meanwhile, are quietly confident. However, much will depend on how well India advantage of playing in familiar territory. The En-
Head coach Brendon McCullum has built a varied adapt to English conditions—a task made harder glish side also seems mentally reset, with McCul-
and revitalized bowling attack. “We have a nice, by the absence of veterans who understood how lum emphasizing the importance of “refreshing”
varied bowling attack with Chris Woakes, Sam to weather early movement and build long in- players and clearly focused on their longer-term
Cook, Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton, and Josh nings. The new faces may bring fearlessness, but Test goals.
Tongue for the high-pace element,” McCullum Test cricket, especially in England, is unforgiving. So, who has the better bowling attack? Statisti-
told Sky Sports. That variety, bolstered by home Panesar warned of potential “collapses” if India’s cally and stylistically, it’s a tight contest. England’s
conditions, gives England a strong edge. young batting lineup doesn’t settle quickly. pace battery is diverse and used to home turf. In-
Add to this the growth of young spinner Shoaib To prepare, several Indian players have joined dia’s has more proven names, with Bumrah as the
Bashir, who has already bagged 58 wickets in 16 the India A squad touring England, hoping to ac- trump card. Spin could be the decider—Bashir for
Tests, and England’s attack appears well-rounded. climatize before the Tests begin. Still, the transi- England vs. Jadeja or Kuldeep for India.
“Bashir is growing in Test cricket every day,” Mc- tion from A-team cricket to Lord’s or The Oval in In terms of momentum and match-readiness,
Cullum said. Though Panesar warned that India’s full-capacity Tests is steep. The real question re- England has the upper hand. But India’s unknown
batters will “attack Shoaib Bashir and won’t let mains: can youthful exuberance replace hardened quantities and fearless youth can surprise—if they
him settle,” the young spinner will be key in long experience in high-stakes matches? adapt quickly and keep their nerves.
spells, especially as pitches wear. England’s lineup also has its share of changes. The series promises more than just five match-
From India’s perspective, bowling remains With the retirement of James Anderson and the es; it’s a narrative of change—for both sides. For
their strongest suit. Jasprit Bumrah, arguably the exclusion of Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes, and Ol- India, it’s the beginning of a post-Kohli-Rohit
best all-format bowler in the world, will be the cen- lie Robinson, this is not the exact same team that chapter, captained by a Gen-Z cricketer in Shub-
terpiece of India’s attack. “Bumrah is a big threat,” lost 4-1 in India earlier this year. But the home man Gill. For England, it’s about proving that their
Panesar emphasized. “Old Trafford and Edgbaston advantage, coupled with players like Woakes and Bazball transformation can withstand pressure
are favourites for the seamer.” Supported by Mo- Overton returning from injury, lends them depth. from even a rebuilding powerhouse.
hammed Siraj and a potential combination of spin- Jamie Overton’s recall and Jacob Bethell’s One thing’s certain: come June 20 at Heading-
ners like Kuldeep Yadav or Ravindra Jadeja, India inclusion hint at McCullum’s willingness to back ley, the cricketing world will be watching closely.

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