Former India cricketer Ravi Shastri has foreseen his playing XI for India's first Test against England, which will get underway on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. The match will mark the start of India’s campaign in the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle.

 

India will be under a new captain, Shubman Gill, who will lead an 18-man team for the five-Test series. Shastri stressed the need for a strong opening pair and supported the left-right pairing of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul to open the batting.

 

He pointed to KL Rahul as the most experienced batter available in the team and had played well during India's last tour of England. Shastri also mentioned Sai Sudharsan for a top-order role, with captain Gill slated to bat at number four.

 

Here is what Ravi Shastri said:

 

“It would be (Yashasvi) Jaiswal, and with him will be KL Rahul, because I think this is a big tour for him. He's the most experienced of the batters. He opened last time when India toured England, got a hundred, (and) had a good tour. So I would hope for him to open the innings. At three, I'll go with the youngster, Sai Sudarshan. Whatever I've seen of him, he's very impressive. This tour will be a good exposure for him,” 

 

The former Indian coach acknowledged that Karun Nair may fit in under Gill in the order, while highlighting his experience in county cricket. Nair's steady performances have seen him receive a much-awaited national comeback. Shastri also identified Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper, putting him at No. 6 in the batting order for the Leeds Test.

 

“In all probability, depending on what current form is, it'll be Karun Nair. He bats at five, it's a long time since he played for India. Six will be (Rishabh) Pant. I think he (Nair) has worked really hard. He's just worked his way back into the side. The number of runs he's got in first-last cricket is incredible. And I met him during an IPL game. I said, ‘Don't just bang the door. Just kick it down and make your way in and walk into that side’. And I think he's done just that. Just the number of runs that he's got has made the selectors look in that direction and give him a place,” he added.

 

He said, Jadeja will be at No. 7 as the first-choice spinner, and Shardul Thakur would probably play at No. 8. He also confirmed that India's fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah will make it to the playing XI. But if it's an overcast day, Arshdeep Singh could be considered, else Prasidh might get a place in the pace attack.

 

“I would go with three fast bowlers, (plus) Shardul Thakur. I know it'll be a tough one between Shardul and Nitish Kumar Reddy, but you have to see who bowls how much. If Reddy is going to give you 12, 14 overs, then he might get the nod because of his batting. And the three fast bowlers would be, I would go with Prasidh Krishna, I would go with Mohammed Siraj and of course Jasprit Bumrah. In Leeds, if it's overcast, and it's cloudy, there might be the temptation of going with the left-armer Arshdeep Singh as well. So it will be Prasidh Krishna or Arshdeep, but the other two will be Siraj and Bumrah,” he concluded.

 

Ravi Shastri's playing XI for first Test against England

 

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Karun Nair, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna/Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.