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Ollie Pope Retains No. 3 Spot as England Finalize XI for 1st Test vs India; Brydon Carse to Make Home Debut
England Announce Line-up for Headingley Test Against India
The England Test team has locked in its playing XI for the highly anticipated opening Test against India at Headingley, starting June 20, 2025. Vice-captain Ollie Pope has been given the nod to continue at No. 3, while Brydon Carse is set to play his first-ever Test match at home, marking a significant milestone in his red-ball career.
Pope Secures No. 3 Role Ahead of Bethell
Consistent Performances Keep Pope in the Frame
Despite a few ups and downs in form, Ollie Pope has maintained the management’s trust and will continue to occupy the No. 3 spot in the batting order. Pope’s retention comes after a brief shuffle in the middle order last year, during England’s tour of New Zealand, where he was pushed down the order due to team composition issues.
Jacob Bethell, who made an impressive debut at No. 3 during that series, was temporarily unavailable last month due to his Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments. Seizing the opportunity, Pope marked his return with a sublime 171-run knock against Zimbabwe, which helped him reclaim his favored position ahead of the clash with India.
This faith reflects England’s strategy of backing experienced players for high-profile Test assignments, especially when facing elite opposition like India.
Read more on England’s middle-order tactics over the past year
Brydon Carse Set for Home Debut at Headingley
Strong Start in Overseas Tests
Brydon Carse, a rising star in England’s pace department, will finally get to bowl in home conditions after playing all his five Test matches overseas so far. The fast bowler, who made his debut against Pakistan in December 2024, has quickly risen through the ranks, grabbing 27 wickets in five games, averaging just under 20 with the ball.
Carse recently recovered from a toe surgery and featured in England’s limited-overs series against the West Indies, proving his match readiness. With conditions at Headingley expected to support pace and bounce, Carse’s inclusion provides captain Ben Stokes with an additional seam option alongside Chris Woakes and Josh Tongue.
England’s Full XI for 1st Test vs India
Here’s the confirmed England Playing XI for the 1st Test at Headingley:
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Zak Crawley
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Ben Duckett
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Ollie Pope
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Joe Root
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Harry Brook
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Ben Stokes (captain)
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Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper)
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Chris Woakes
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Brydon Carse
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Josh Tongue
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Shoaib Bashir
Notably, Jamie Smith retains the gloves, and Shoaib Bashir, the off-spinner who impressed during the subcontinent tours, also keeps his place, adding spin variety to the pace-heavy attack.
Explore India’s touring squad and key players for the England Test series
England vs India Test Series: What to Expect
The series opener promises to be an intense encounter, with England aiming to capitalize on their home advantage and India looking to settle scores after their defeat in Hyderabad earlier in the year. All eyes will be on experienced campaigners like Joe Root and Ben Stokes, while Pope and Carse represent the youth-energy combination England hopes to benefit from.
The Headingley pitch is traditionally pace-friendly, but with weather fluctuations expected, team selection with multiple seam options could play a decisive role.
As England finalizes a well-balanced and dynamic XI for the Headingley Test, the inclusion of players like Ollie Pope and Brydon Carse highlights their dual focus on form and long-term development. With Test cricket’s global spotlight back on English soil, this opening match against India is expected to be a thrilling contest rich with talent, form battles, and tactical nuance.
Catch live coverage, analysis, and post-match reviews from the England vs India Test series
