The much-anticipated five-match Test series between India and England is about to kick off on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, with both teams gearing up for the challenge.

For India, this match holds special significance as it marks the beginning of a new era under the leadership of Shubman Gill. The young captain will be eager to start his red-ball captaincy journey with a victory and give India an early lead in the series.

India’s Test Record at Headingley

Historically, Headingley has not been a favorable venue for India. The team first played here in 1952, resulting in a defeat. Since then, India has played seven Tests at this iconic ground, with a mixed bag of outcomes:

• Tests Played: 7
• India Wins: 2
• Draws: 1
• England Wins: 4

The last Test India played at Headingley was in 2021 under Virat Kohli's captaincy, which ended in a heavy loss. Now, with a revamped squad and new leadership, India will be looking to change their fortunes and kick off the series on a positive note.

Headingley: A Ground That Favors Chasers

Headingley has hosted a total of 84 Test matches over the years, revealing some interesting trends:

• Wins batting first: 29
• Wins batting second: 36
• Draws: Remaining matches

Seam bowlers have traditionally thrived in the conditions at this venue, especially in the early stages of the game, which could be a crucial factor in shaping the outcome of the opening Test.

Playing XIs

IND probable Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav / Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

ENG Playing XI: Jack Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir

With Shubman Gill leading the team in Tests for the first time, all eyes will be on India's approach to the Headingley challenge. With a talented squad and a renewed sense of purpose, can India defy history and make a strong statement in Leeds?