IND vs ENG 1st Test: England Win Toss, India to Bowl First; Sai Sudharsan Debuts, Nair Back in the Team
The opening Test between India and England which much awaited has commenced with an intriguing toss. Captain England won the toss and opted to bat first, asking India to bowl at the beginning of a pivotal encounter. The move is apparently based on good batting conditions on Day 1 of the pitch.
Sai Sudharsan Debuts In Test Match
26′ – DEBUTANT Alert! One of the highlights of this match is the debut of the young Sai Sudharsan. Sudharsan is making his Test debut after decent show in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL). People throughout the nation are excited to watch this southpaw in action in the Test cricket as well.
Sudharsan’s inclusion will add zest to the Indian batting order. His temperament and technique have been praised by former cricketers and Hussain reckons the Test match provides the perfect opportunity for him to showcase his skills at the highest stage.
1ST Test. 2.5: Chris Woakes to Yashasvi Jaiswal 4 runs, India 10/0 https://t.co/ExbRAWMM3Z #ENGvIND #1stTEST
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 20, 2025
Karun Nair is back in the squad
The return of Karun Nair to the Indian Test squad is also an item of discussion. Nair, who has a Test triple century to his credit, has been out of the team for quite some time. His re-entry has also generated interest amongst fans who feel that his experience could add some meat to India’s middle-order.
Nair’s knack of playing long innings and negotiating pressure situations could be key in the face of what is a potent attack of the opposition.
Toss Update & Playing Condition
England’s choice to bat first may have been affected by the anticipated wearing of the pitch on the final days of the Test. Day 1’s pitch looks like a good one to bat on – true bounce and carry. India, meanwhile, will hope to take early wickets with their pacers and spinners to impose early pressure on the English batting order.
What to Expect
Young debutant Sai Sudharsan and seasoned campaigner Karun Nair will be part of it and all eyes will be on India’s batting approach when their lower middle-order walk into bat as well. For their part, England will be targeting a big first innings as they look to take the lead in the series.
And the canvas is splendidly laid out for a riveting Test contest that should feature a context of competitive cricket, sparks of individual brilliance and memories of moments well-cherished.
Follow along for live updates, scores and analysis from the game!