England Announce Power-Packed Playing XI For 1st Test Vs India

ENG Vs IND: Captained by Ben Stokes, England have announced a well-balanced Playing XI for the Headingley Test. Read below for more.

England will be captained by Ben Stokes, as the Playing XI features 4 seamers

Source : @X/ICC

ENG Vs IND: England have officially announced their Playing XI for the 1st Test match against India at Headingley, Leeds.

The Ben Stokes-led side will feature a power-packed batting order containing the likes of Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and many more.

The hosts will be going with 4 seamers and one spinner + Joe Root (if he bowls).

"England Men have confirmed their XI for the Rothesay first Test against India at Headingley starting on Friday. Warwickshire all-rounder Chris Woakes returns to the side for the first time since December. Durham seamer Brydon Carse will play his first Test on home soil, having featured in his previous five Tests in Pakistan and New Zealand," read the official statement of England & Wales Cricket Board released on Wednesday, June 18.

Here's a look at the Playing XI:

• Zak Crawley
• Ben Duckett
• ⁠Ollie Pope
• ⁠Joe Root
• ⁠Harry Brook
• ⁠Ben Stokes (C)
• ⁠Jamie Smith (WK)
• ⁠Chris Woakes
• ⁠Brydon Carse
• ⁠Josh Tongue
• ⁠Shoaib Bashir

Team news from Leeds ahead of a BIG week 📋

Ready to face @BCCI 👊

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 18, 2025

Chris Woakes To Make Maiden Appearance In 2025

Veteran all-rounder Chris Woakes makes his much-awaited return to the Test Playing XI of England, as the right-arm pacer has recovered from his ankle injury he suffered back in December 2024, during England's tour of New Zealand.

The 36-year-old proved his match fitness in the recently-concluded England Lions Vs India A practice match, where he scalped 5 wickets across two innings.

Alongside Woakes, another English pacer that returns to the fold is Brydon Carse, whom England heavily missed during their forgettable ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign due to a toe injury.

This is the first time since 2003 that England will not be having the services of either James Anderson or Stuart Broad for a home Tets series against India.