The highly-anticipated five-Test series between England and India kicks off at Headingley, Leeds, on Friday, June 20, 2025 that will mark the beginning of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle for both sides.
England vs India Test series begins at Headingley
It will also usher in a new leadership era for India under Shubman Gill. With stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring from Test cricket, and the experienced Ravichandran Ashwin also missing, the spotlight firmly shifts to India’s next-generation stars. England enter the series riding high on home dominance under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum’s Bazball regime. However, India will bank on its strong pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, to dent England’s momentum. This contest promises fierce battles, strategic innovations, and a test of mental and physical resilience over five demanding matches across the UK’s premier cricketing venues.
Ashish Nehra forecasts Mohammed Siraj’s wicket tally for India
Former India fast bowler and Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra has identified India’s pace battery as the team’s biggest strength ahead of the grueling England tour. In a virtual media interaction hosted by Sony Sports Network, Nehra emphasized that despite Bumrah likely playing only three of the five Tests and Mohammed Shami’s absence, the remaining fast bowlers are more than capable of delivering match-defining spells.
“When you talk about this Indian pace bowling attack, Bumrah and Siraj know English conditions well. Bumrah doesn’t need to change anything—he’s a complete bowler. Siraj, meanwhile, is entering the series with greater maturity and rhythm, and I won’t be surprised if he ends up with 25 to 30 wickets across the five Tests,” Nehra was quoted as saying by the Telegraph India.
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Nehra praised Siraj’s ability to bowl long, fiery spells and his proven track record from the 2021 tour of England, adding that his tenacity and fitness make him a genuine match-winner, especially when conditions favor swing and seam. Nehra, who has worked closely with Siraj in the IPL setup, highlighted that Siraj has the stamina to bowl 20–22 overs in a day if required and the hunger to thrive when the team is under pressure. He even suggested that if the pitch assists seamers, Siraj could wreak havoc with a five-wicket haul in a single spell of 7–8 overs and could pick wickets between 25-30.
“Siraj has more experience now. So, I won’t be surprised if he finishes with 25-30 wickets in this series. He’s pretty much a leader of the attack with Bumrah,” the former Indian cricketer added.
“That’s what he did in the IPL also. The IPL is a completely different ball game compared to Test cricket, but Siraj is a good enough bowler to do well in every format. Whatever he has done in the last few years, he will build on it. We have seen him bowling fiery spells in England earlier (in 2021) as well. He’s a fit, energetic, all-in guy who will give you even 20-22 overs if you need them and push himself harder whenever the team is in trouble. Besides, if there’s something in the pitch, you may see him picking up five wickets in just 7-8 overs,” Nehra concluded.
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