India vs England 1st Test: Rahane Names Arshdeep, Sai Sudharsan in Surprise XI Picks

Ajinkya Rahane’s predicted playing XI stirs debate ahead of Leeds Test; Arshdeep Singh and debutant Sai Sudharsan feature in his line-up

June 20, 2025 | As India prepare to kick off their five-match Test series against England at Headingley in Leeds, former India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has revealed his predicted XI — and it includes a couple of surprises. Rahane, speaking via his YouTube channel, backed Arshdeep Singh and Sai Sudharsan to make the cut for the opening Test.

Also Read: India vs England 1st Test Live Streaming: When and Where to Watch Shubman Gill’s Captaincy Debut

Rahane’s XI notably excludes experienced names like Karun Nair and Prasidh Krishna, instead favouring Dhruv Jurel in the middle-order and Shardul Thakur as an all-rounder following his solid performance in the intra-squad warm-up.

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🧢 Rahane’s Predicted India XI for 1st Test

• Openers: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul
• No. 3: Sai Sudharsan (debut)
• Middle-order: Shubman Gill (captain), Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant (wk)
• All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur
• Pacers: Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh

Also Read: Big Concern for Team India: This Star Batsman is Struggling in Nets Ahead of 1st Test vs England

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Rahane’s pick of Arshdeep Singh, who has limited red-ball experience, suggests confidence in his left-arm swing to exploit English conditions. Sai Sudharsan’s selection is equally bold, considering the high-pressure environment of a debut Test against England.

Also Read: England-India 1st Test- Weather Update: Overcast Skies, Rain Threat

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🎙️ Shubman Gill Emphasizes 20-Wicket Strategy

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Shubman Gill underlined the team’s focus on taking 20 wickets as the key to winning Tests.

“You can’t win a Test match without taking 20 wickets, no matter how many runs you score,” Gill said.
“We’re considering a mix of six pure batters, a bowling all-rounder, and three-four fast bowlers.”

With the pitch expected to behave differently from typical English summers, Gill hinted at a balanced team composition depending on real-time conditions.

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🏏 India’s Transition Phase

This Test also marks Shubman Gill’s captaincy debut in red-ball cricket, following the retirement of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. The Indian side enters a new era with a youthful squad eager to make a mark.

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