KKN Gurugram Desk | The much-anticipated five-match Test series between India and England kicks off today at the historic Headingley Stadium in Leeds. While England has already announced their playing XI, India is expected to reveal its final lineup at the toss.

This series opener carries significant historical and strategic weight. Out of the seven Test matches played at Headingley between India and England, the Indian team has won only two, lost four, and drawn one. The statistics reflect how challenging the Headingley pitch has traditionally been for Indian cricketers.

But beyond team results, another record haunts Indian fans and players alike — no Indian batter has scored a century at Headingley since 2002. As the 23-year drought lingers, the question on everyone’s mind is: Will 2025 be the year India breaks this dry spell?

Six Indians Have Scored Centuries at Headingley – But None Since 2002

Headingley has witnessed some memorable Indian batting performances in the past, with six Indian batters scoring centuries at the venue. The legends who etched their names into the stadium’s history include:

• Vijay Manjrekar – 133 in 1952

• Mansoor Ali Khan ‘Tiger’ Pataudi – 148 in 1967

• Dilip Vengsarkar – 102* in 1986

• Rahul Dravid – 148 in 2002

• Sachin Tendulkar – 193 in 2002

• Sourav Ganguly – 128 in 2002

The 2002 Headingley Test was a golden chapter in Indian cricket history, with three centuries in a single match — a rare achievement on English soil.

However, ever since that iconic win, Indian batsmen have struggled to reach the three-figure mark at Headingley. The highest score by an Indian batter since 2002 at this ground is 91, made by Cheteshwar Pujara during the 2021 tour.

Recent Performances at Headingley: A Mixed Bag

In the 2021 Test at Headingley, several key Indian batters failed to make an impact:

• Cheteshwar Pujara: 91 (best post-2002 Indian score at Headingley)

• Rohit Sharma: 59

• Virat Kohli: 55

While these scores were respectable, none crossed the century mark, reinforcing the idea that Headingley continues to be a tricky wicket for Indian batsmen.

In the same 2021 Test, India lost to England by an innings and 76 runs — a reminder of the challenge that Headingley still poses.

Current Indian Squad: Ready to Break the Curse?

The 2025 Indian Test squad includes a dynamic mix of experience and young talent, with several batsmen in strong form:

• Shubman Gill (Captain)

• Yashasvi Jaiswal

• KL Rahul

• Karun Nair

• Sai Sudharsan

With Shubman Gill leading the side and known for his temperament and technique in English conditions, the spotlight will be on him to lead from the front and possibly become the next Indian to score a century at Headingley.

Gill, Jaiswal, and Sudharsan have all shown the ability to bat long and adapt to seam-friendly conditions, which could finally turn the tide in India’s favor at this ground.

Headingley Experience: Only Five Indian Players Have Played Here Before

Of the current Indian squad, only five players have previous experience playing a Test at Headingley:

1. KL Rahul

2. Rishabh Pant

3. Ravindra Jadeja

4. Mohammed Siraj

5. Jasprit Bumrah

All five were part of the 2021 tour and will bring valuable insights into the pitch behavior and conditions. However, their individual performances in that Test were underwhelming:

• KL Rahul: Scored 0 and 8 in two innings

• Rishabh Pant: Managed only 2 and 1

• Ravindra Jadeja: Scored 4 and 30

• Siraj and Bumrah: Took 2 wickets each in the first innings

The lack of impactful individual performances from experienced players in 2021 underlines the importance of a fresh, focused approach this time.

England’s Early Advantage: Announced Playing XI and Home Conditions

England has already named their playing XI, giving them a strategic edge. Their team is expected to feature a balanced mix of pace and spin, tailored for the typical swing-friendly conditions of Leeds.

India, on the other hand, will be finalizing their lineup at the toss — a decision that may stem from wanting to see final pitch conditions before deciding on the bowling combination.

While England will look to exploit early movement, India must counter with tight technique and patience — traits that batters like Dravid and Tendulkar famously demonstrated in 2002.

Can the Century Drought Finally End?

The big question going into Day 1 of this Test is simple yet powerful: Can an Indian batsman score a century at Headingley in 2025?

From a strategic standpoint, India has:

• Batting depth and young talent

• Experience in the playing group

• Motivation to break a long-standing record

• A captain in form and full of intent

With weather expected to stay dry for most of the five days, the conditions could favor batting on Days 2 and 3 — presenting an ideal opportunity for someone to convert a start into a historic hundred.

The India vs England Test series of 2025 begins under the shadows of historic records and future possibilities. Headingley has not been kind to Indian batters in the last two decades, but with a talented squad and renewed focus, this might just be the year the 23-year century drought ends.

All eyes will be on the top order — Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and others — as they walk out to bat on the same pitch where Indian legends once scripted iconic centuries.

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