KKN Gurugram Desk | As Team India enters a fresh era in Test cricket, all eyes are on the much-anticipated India vs England Test Series 2025. With legendary players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma having bid farewell to the longest format, a new generation is ready to take the reins. Under the leadership of Shubman Gill and the strategic guidance of newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, India will take on England in a challenging five-match Test series starting at Leeds.

This tour not only marks a generational shift in Indian cricket but also raises questions about how this young team will perform in England’s testing conditions. Let’s dive into the key strengths and weaknesses of Team India ahead of this historic series.

Strengths of Team India in the England Test Series 2025

1. Young Batting Core in Form

One of the biggest strengths of the Indian squad is its dynamic and youthful batting lineup. Although the absence of senior players like Kohli and Rohit has left a void, the new batting unit seems promising and in good form.

• Yashasvi Jaiswal brings aggressive intent at the top of the order, a trait that could unsettle England’s seamers early on.

• KL Rahul’s experience adds balance to the top order, especially in seaming conditions.

• The return of Karun Nair, known for his consistency in the domestic circuit, and the form of captain Shubman Gill, offer stability in the middle order.

• Players like Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Reddy, and Ravindra Jadeja provide depth and flexibility to the lineup.

With this blend of flair, form, and flexibility, India’s batting unit has the potential to pose serious challenges to England’s bowling attack.

2. Robust Pace Attack Suited for English Conditions

When it comes to Test cricket in England, fast bowling makes all the difference—and India seems well-prepared in that department. The Indian team boasts one of its most formidable pace attacks in recent years.

• Jasprit Bumrah, even if available for part of the series, remains a game-changer with his lethal accuracy.

• Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur add variety and depth to the seam department.

• Nitish Reddy brings additional pace-bowling options and could be a surprise package, especially after his strong performance in Australia earlier this year.

India’s pace battery has the tools to exploit England’s green pitches, swing-friendly weather, and overhead conditions.

3. The Element of Surprise – A Fresh Squad

This Indian Test squad has several players who are touring England for the first time. While that may seem like a drawback at first glance, it could actually be India’s biggest X-factor.

• England’s team and analysts have studied the previous Indian Test squads extensively. The fresh faces and unfamiliar playing styles of the current team could catch the hosts off guard.

• With limited data available on many players, the element of surprise is very much in India’s favor.

• A young squad often plays with freedom and fearlessness, traits that are vital for overseas success.

If leveraged correctly, this freshness could be the key to India pulling off unexpected victories in tough English conditions.

Weaknesses of Team India in the IND vs ENG Test Series

1. Lack of Experience in English Conditions

Perhaps the most pressing concern for India is the lack of overseas Test experience, especially in England’s unique playing environment.

• English pitches demand a specific skill set — adapting to the swing, overcast skies, and Dukes ball movement. Most Indian players in this squad haven’t faced these challenges before.

• With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma gone, the leadership group lacks players who have thrived in such conditions.

• For a young team, quick adaptability will be essential. A slow start could be costly in a five-match series.

This inexperience might lead to early collapses, both in the batting and bowling departments, unless quickly addressed.

2. Limited Availability of Jasprit Bumrah

India’s most reliable fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, will not be available for the entire series. The selectors have confirmed that he will feature only in select matches to manage his workload.

• Bumrah’s absence for key matches could disrupt India’s bowling strategy, especially in high-pressure situations.

• Replacing a bowler of his caliber mid-series puts added pressure on the remaining pace bowlers.

• Without Bumrah, India loses a significant match-winning edge, especially when it comes to closing out sessions or taking quick wickets.

The Indian team management must prepare backup strategies and have contingency plans in place for when Bumrah is unavailable.

3. Inexperienced Leadership Duo

Both Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill have limited success stories when it comes to Test cricket in England.

• As a player, Gambhir struggled on English soil, with an average well below his career norm. How well he can guide the team in such conditions remains uncertain.

• On the other hand, Shubman Gill, though immensely talented, has had a rough record in England — scoring only 88 runs in six innings at an average of 14.66.

• The dual responsibility of leading from the front with the bat and captaining a young side in unfamiliar conditions could prove overwhelming.

This combination of a first-time coach-captain duo in England may lead to strategic missteps, especially if early results don’t go India’s way.

As the India vs England Test Series 2025 begins, the stakes are high for both teams. For England, it’s about defending their home turf. For India, it’s the beginning of a new chapter—one that will define the future of its red-ball cricket.

With a promising young core, a lethal pace attack, and the unpredictability of fresh faces, India has the potential to surprise. But the series will also test their mental toughness, leadership, and adaptability in one of the most hostile cricketing environments.

Whether this team sinks or soars, one thing is clear: Indian cricket is entering a bold new phase, and this England tour is just the beginning.