England have officially named their 14-member squad for the opening Test match against India, scheduled to begin on June 20.
The highly anticipated fixture will mark the beginning of a five-Test series between two of cricket’s top-ranked teams, forming a key part of the new ICC World Test Championship cycle.
All-rounder Jamie Overton has been recalled to the England squad, making a return to the Test arena for the first time since his debut against New Zealand at Headingley in June 2022. Overton’s selection comes despite a recent setback—a fractured little finger on his right hand, sustained during the ODI against the West Indies on May 29. He remains under medical observation, but England’s management appears confident in his readiness to face India.
The England squad sees several changes from the side that last faced India in early 2024. Notable absentees include James Anderson, who has since retired, as well as Jonny Bairstow, Ollie Robinson, and Ben Foakes. England will instead rely on fresh faces and returning players to take on a strong India side.
Brydon Carse has recovered from a toe injury that previously sidelined him, and Chris Woakes, another experienced campaigner, returns to the squad after missing recent red-ball fixtures. England captain Ben Stokes, who made his comeback from a hamstring injury in the Zimbabwe series, will once again lead the team.
England’s squad for the first Test against India: Ben Stokes (Captain), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
India, meanwhile, are expected to name their squad shortly, and both sides are gearing up for what promises to be a fiercely contested series. England will aim to reverse their fortunes against India after a challenging campaign during their last encounter.
With the series hosted in England, conditions are expected to favor swing and seam, putting India’s batting lineup under scrutiny. Conversely, England’s young bowling attack will need to deliver consistently against India’s formidable top order.
This five-match series will not only renew one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries but also set the tone for England and India in the ongoing World Test Championship.