The first match of India’s five-match Test series versus England is slated to begin on June 20 at Headingley in Leeds. This will also mark the start of both teams’ World Test Championship 2025-27 cycles, and they will undoubtedly seek to make an impression from the start. The visiting Indian team will also be captained by a new captain, Shubman Gill.

Gill faces a significant hurdle, since playing in the United Kingdom against a good English squad will not be easy. And, ahead of the match, former India batsman Wasim Jaffer has given his ideal playing XI, which might help Gill establish a winning combination in the Leeds Test against Ben Stokes’ England.

Jaffer’s top-order for the first Test features Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul as openers, with either Abhimanyu Easwaran or Sai Sudharsan at No. 3. Jaffer appears to have put together an ideal top-order with swing experience, but only Rahul has previously played an international game in England. For No. 4, the former India batsman has chosen skipper Gill to take leadership, succeeding Virat Kohli.

Wasim Jaffer confused between Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav.

Rishabh Pant, Gill’s deputy, will bat at number five and take over wicketkeeping duties, while Karun Nair will bat at number six, followed by seasoned all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Notably, Jaffer has preserved Jadeja as a spin option, with Kuldeep Yadav also making the Playing XI. Shardul Thakur, an all-rounder who just had a successful domestic season, has also been added. However, only one of Shardul and Kuldeep will get it into the final mix.

Finally, the cricketer-turned-expert has chosen a frontline pace-bowling trio that comprises spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as the first choice, with Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj giving backup from the other end. Overall, the group appears to be well-balanced and capable of winning games by turning them on their heads.

My India XI for First Test:

1. Jaiswal
2. KL
3. Easwaran/Sai
4. Gill
5. Pant
6. Nair
7. Jadeja
8. Shardul/Kuldeep
9. Prasiddh
10. Bumrah
11. Siraj

What’s yours? #ENGvIND

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 18, 2025

Wasim Jaffer Playing XI for 1st Test

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran / Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj