The highly anticipated five-Test series between England and India for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy is set to begin on June 20, 2025, at Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds. This series marks the start of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle for both teams and also a new era for Indian cricket, with Shubman Gill leading the Test side for the first time after the retirement of senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Where to Watch:
For fans in India, the Test series will be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network on TV. Live streaming will be available on the JioHotstar app and website. The matches will be telecast on Sony Sports 1, Sony Sports 1 HD, Sony Sports 3, Sony Sports 3 HD, Sony Sports 4, Sony Sports 4 HD, Sony Sports 5, and Sony Sports 5 HD channels.
Match Timings:
The first Test match is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST), with the toss taking place at 2:30 PM IST.
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy:
This series marks the inaugural edition of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which replaces the Pataudi Trophy (contested for series in England until 2025). The trophy is named in honor of England's legendary fast bowler James Anderson and India's iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar. Both Anderson and Tendulkar are widely regarded as all-time greats in Test cricket. Anderson has 704 Test wickets, the most by a fast bowler, and Tendulkar holds the record for the most Test runs, with 15,921.
The decision to rename the trophy was a joint initiative between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In addition to the trophy, a "Pataudi Medal" will be awarded to the winning captain of each England-India Test series to honor the Pataudi legacy.
Team Composition and Key Players:
India's squad reflects a transitional phase, with several young players stepping into leadership and match-day roles. Shubman Gill, at 25, is one of India's youngest full-time Test captains. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are expected to be crucial at the top of the order. Rishabh Pant returns as vice-captain and is expected to bat at No. 5. The bowling unit will likely feature a pace-heavy attack, including Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur, and Arshdeep Singh, especially with Ashwin retired and Shami not fully fit.
England, led by Ben Stokes, will rely on experienced players like Joe Root and Harry Brook to anchor their batting.
Series Significance:
This series is particularly significant as India aims to win a Test series in England for the first time since 2007. Shubman Gill has expressed that winning a Test series in England would be a greater feat than winning the IPL. This series will be a test of Gill's leadership and the team's ability to perform under pressure in challenging conditions.
The series is not just about the trophy but also about starting strong in the new World Test Championship cycle. Both teams will be looking to gain valuable points and set the tone for their campaign in the championship.
