Cricket

England v India First Test Predictions & Betting Tips (2025)

3 months ago

| BY Sam Cox

The much-anticipated five-Test series between England and India begins at Headingley on June 20.

England have won their last five Test matches at Headingley – the most recent of which was a scintillating win in the 2023 Ashes. The hosts also beat India by an innings when they matched up in Leeds in 2021. Joe Root led the way with a brilliant hundred after England skittle the tourists for 78 in the first dig.

The cricket betting markets have England as clear favourites for the opening match of this series. England are the second-best ranked Test side in the world, ahead of India in fourth.

Since beating England 4-1 in the reverse series, India have defeated Bangladesh 2-0 and lost six out of eight Tests against New Zealand and Australia.

No Kohli or Rohit

India are in a rebuilding phase after seeing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retire from the longest format in the build-up to this series. It’s over a decade since an England vs India live betting market didn’t include Kohli or Rohi.

Kohli had been enduring a prolonged period of decline in Test cricket with underwhelming numbers in each year since 2019 (with the exception of 2023).

His presence was far more than elite batter, though, and India are not going to be the same team without his infectious competitiveness. He has long been India’s talisman, and it will take some time to adjust to life without him.

Rohit’s absence won’t be as harshly felt. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul are an excellent opening partnership, with the latter having a couple of centuries to his name in England.

India’s top order has plenty of talent to fill the Rohit-shaped void, though a lack of experience in English conditions could lead to trouble if the ball nips around at Headingley.

New-Look England Attack

England’s fast-bowling attack is entering a new era. Stuart Broad and James Anderson have retired. Mark Wood is injured. Jofra Archer is unavailable for the first Test. Gus Atkinson, who has looked as settled as any of the new faces, is out of at least the first Test with a hamstring injury.

Sam Cook was largely unimpressive on debut against Zimbabwe, Brydon Carse is yet to regain his winter form after a long-term toe injury, and Jamie Overton has played only one previous Test.

This is the most inexperienced bowling attack England have had in a series of this magnitude in a long time, which lumps a lot of pressure on a 36-year-old Woakes and a potentially undercooked Stokes. Woakes to be England’s top bowler is the bet here.

Pope Under Microscope

Jacob Bethell is looming after a string of spectacular white-ball performances. Zak Crawley’s place is surely secured for this series and The Ashes given his knack of dismantling elite bowling attacks.

Ollie Pope, England’s vice-captain, is the main under threat. His century against Zimbabwe will have helped him to regain some confidence, but there’s no denying Bethell has looked more comfortable than Pope in international cricket over the last 12 months.

England have avoided kneejerk decisions. A defeat at Headingley won’t see Pope dropped, but it will be interesting to see how he deals with the pressure. Of the two, Crawley is the better option to be England’s top batter.