The dawn of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle ushers in a new era for Indian cricket, as the team embarks on a tough away assignment in England without their legendary trio, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin.
A new chapter for Indian Test cricket begins without their stalwarts
With all three icons having recently announced their retirements from the Test arena, India will step into unfamiliar territory, brimming with youth, uncertainty, and opportunity. The leadership baton now rests with Shubman Gill, who will make his full-time Test captaincy debut in this prestigious five-match series, beginning on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.
Assisting Gill will be Rishabh Pant, who returns to a key leadership role after his remarkable recovery and consistent form in red-ball cricket. The 18-member squad also includes promising names such as Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, and Abhimanyu Easwaran, signaling a strategic shift towards youth and long-term planning. This series, which spans iconic venues, Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval, will not only test India’s bench strength but also set the tone for the country’s ambitions in this new WTC cycle. The selection also hints at a possible generational transition, one that could define the course of Indian cricket in the years ahead.
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Dale Steyn makes bold prediction on ENG vs IND Test series result and scoreline
Despite England’s statistical dominance at home and India’s inexperience, cricket pundits expect this series to be closely fought. Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn, speaking to JioHotstar, offered a bold yet balanced prediction: a 3-2 victory for England. He emphasized that every game would be tightly contested, leaving no room for complacency. “All games will be close. But all will have a result. I think it will be 3-2 in favour of England. There will be no runaway win for any team,” Steyn said.
While India experiments with youth and transitions, England enters the series as a well-oiled unit under the dynamic stewardship of Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum. The advent of ‘Bazball’—an ultra-aggressive brand of Test cricket focused on attacking intent from the very first ball—has revolutionized England’s approach to the game. In home conditions, it has been especially successful. Under McCullum, England have contested 20 home Tests, winning 15 and losing only four, with just one match ending in a draw. This stunning record reflects not only tactical innovation but also a psychological edge that they now enjoy when playing at home.
