B Sai Sudharsan will walk in at first drop on Test debut and Karun Nair has been recalled for his first cap since 2017, yet the opening drama at Headingley centres on the toss. Ben Stokes called correctly, chose to bowl, and handed Shubman Gill’s new-look India side an immediate examination under clear Yorkshire skies.
“Headingley is generally a very good cricket wicket,” Stokes said. “Hopefully, we can look to use the early conditions, and try to get a bit out of it… We’re all excited, we’re all ready to go.” Recent history supports him: the past six Tests here have been won by the team bowling first.
Gill, leading India in Tests for the first time, admitted he would have made the same decision. Even so, he expects the surface to settle quickly. “The sun is out. It looks like a good batting day for us,” he said. “The preparation has been amazing.” If his assessment proves accurate, Sudharsan and Nair—neither of whom has faced a red ball in England before—could have vital time to bed in.
England’s XI was confirmed on Tuesday, allowing internal debates to move on to execution. Ollie Pope stays at No. 3, Brydon Carse partners Chris Woakes with the new ball, while Josh Tongue and Stokes offer additional pace. Shoaib Bashir is the lone specialist spinner, a nod to the seam-friendly reputation of the ground.
India have mirrored that approach. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and debutant Prasidh Krishna provide outright pace; Shardul Thakur slots in at eight as the fourth seamer and all-round buffer. Ravindra Jadeja carries the spin duties alone, leaving Kuldeep Yadav on the sidelines.
The selections hint at both camps expecting movement in the first session but a flattening pitch thereafter—classic Leeds fare. For Sudharsan, Nair and indeed Gill the challenge is straightforward on paper and never easy in practice: survive the new ball, then cash in.
