The stage is set at Headingley, Leeds, where England and India will kick off the first Test of their much-anticipated five-match series on June 20th. With a fresh trophy name—the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy—and both sides in different phases of their cricketing journey, this match carries more than just points. It’s about pride, transition, and statement-making.
Match Details
- Match: England vs India, 1st Test
- Venue: Headingley, Leeds
- Date & Time: June 20th at 3:30 PM IST | 11:00 AM Local
- Live Telecast: Sony Sports Network, JioHotstar
Pitch Report – Leeds Conditions
Headingley is known for its pace and bounce, especially on the first two days. Seamers tend to dominate early, but the pitch does settle down from Day 3 onwards. England have won their last 5 Test matches at this venue, and their quicks know how to exploit the early conditions. The average first innings score here is 298, but it drops to 165 in the fourth innings.
Head-to-Head in Tests
- Matches Played: 136
- England Won: 51
- India Won: 35
- Drawn: 50
England hold the edge historically, especially at home where conditions favor them, but India did manage a 2-2 draw here in 2022—so it’s not one-sided.
Team Form – Recent Five Matches
| Team | Last 5 Matches | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| England | W, L, W, W, L | High scoring, aggressive under Stokes-McCullum |
| India | L, L, D, L, W | Transition phase under new captain Gill |
Probable Playing XIs
England
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir
India
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur/Nitish Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Fantasy Cricket Tips – Top Picks
Let’s look at players who can turn this into a points-rich game for your fantasy squad.
Batters
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (IND): 1798 runs in the last WTC cycle. Grit, technique, and form.
- Joe Root (ENG): Master in these conditions. 682 runs at Headingley in 10 Tests. Pick him and forget.
All-Rounders
- Ben Stokes (ENG): Match-changer. With bat or ball, his presence is vital.
- Ravindra Jadeja (IND): India’s Mr. Consistent. Contributes in all three departments.
Bowlers
- Jasprit Bumrah (IND): 37 wickets in 9 Tests in England. Loves the Dukes ball.
- Chris Woakes (ENG): Handy both ways. Very effective in home conditions.
- Brydon Carse (ENG): On the rise, especially with pace-friendly tracks like Leeds.
Wicketkeepers
- Rishabh Pant (IND): Making a comeback with vice-captaincy. Will play freely at No.5.
Fantasy Suggested Teams
Team 1 (Balanced XI)
- Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Joe Root (vc), Ben Duckett, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah (c), Chris Woakes, Jamie Smith, Brydon Carse
Team 2 (Aggressive with all-round punch)
- Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Joe Root, Harry Brook (vc), Ben Stokes (c), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir
X-Factor Players
- Sai Sudharsan: Making his debut, but don’t write him off. Strong temperament and hungry for impact.
- Harry Brook: England’s new poster boy in Test cricket. If he gets going, can turn the match around.
Captain and Vice-Captain Choices
| Role | Player |
|---|---|
| Captain | Joe Root, Jasprit Bumrah |
| Vice-Captain | Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ben Stokes |
Final Match Prediction
England have the home edge and are more settled. India are in a rebuilding phase with many young faces. If the pitch offers early movement, England’s bowlers could take charge. But don’t discount India’s fight, especially if Bumrah gets early breakthroughs and Pant or Jaiswal finds rhythm.
Prediction: England to win, but expect a spirited fight from India.
Disclaimer: The fantasy tips and facts expressed within this article are for entertainment purposes only. They do not reflect the views of fdaytalk. It is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn. fdaytalk does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
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