India will take on England in the first Test at Leeds starting today, 20 June 2025. A new era in Test cricket is all set to begin for Team India under their newly appointed skipper, Shubman Gill.
Here are the top 3 battles to watch out for in the Leeds Test:
Joe Root vs Jasprit Bumrah
Root is England’s leading batsman, with over 13,000 runs and 36 hundreds at an average of 50.80. Bumrah, considered one of the best fast bowlers of this generation, will pose a tough challenge. In Tests, Root has faced 559 balls from Bumrah, scoring 286 runs while being dismissed nine times. This will be the most crucial battle of the match—whoever comes out on top will give a major advantage to their team.
KL Rahul vs Chris Woakes
Following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, KL Rahul will have to shoulder greater responsibility in the batting order, especially with his experience of playing over 50 Test matches. Woakes, with 181 wickets in 57 Tests, will look to strike early. Rahul has faced 72 balls from Woakes in Tests, scoring 34 runs and getting dismissed only once. This top-order duel could be vital in setting the tone for the match.
Ben Stokes vs Ravindra Jadeja
Stokes is known for his aggressive style and match-winning abilities. With Ravichandran Ashwin now retired, Ravindra Jadeja will lead India’s spin department. In previous encounters, Stokes has faced 235 balls from Jadeja in Tests, scoring only 125 runs while being dismissed six times. This clash between bat and ball could shape key moments in the match.
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