The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday announced a 14-member squad for the first Test of the five-match series against India, scheduled to begin on June 20, 2025, at Headingley in Leeds.
The big news from the selection is the return of fast-bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton, who has been included in the squad in place of his injured Surrey teammate Gus Atkinson. The 31-year-old all-rounder, who has been a regular in England’s white-ball sides, made his only Test appearance in 2022 against New Zealand, impressing with a knock of 97 and picking up two wickets.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Ben Stokes will continue to lead the side, with familiar faces like Joe Root, Zak Crawley, and Ollie Pope forming the core of the batting unit. Young talents such as Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, and Jamie Smith have also been retained as England look to build a balanced squad blending youth and experience.
The return of 21-year-old Bethell adds depth — and a selection headache. Fresh off an IPL title win with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Bethell impressed on his Test debut in New Zealand, averaging 52 with three fifties at No. 3. His presence puts pressure on Pope and Crawley, although both scored centuries in the recent Zimbabwe series.
Experienced campaigners Chris Woakes and Josh Tongue will support the pace attack, while Sam Cook and Brydon Carse offer additional options with the ball. Both Woakes and Carse are returning from injury layoffs.
India will be touring England for a much-anticipated five-match Test series as part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. The first Test at Headingley promises to set the tone for a fiercely contested summer.
England squad for 1st Test against India
Ben Stokes (Durham) – Captain, Shoaib Bashir (Somerset), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Sam Cook (Essex), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Jamie Overton (Surrey), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jamie Smith (Surrey), Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
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