With India set to face England in the first Test at Headingley on June 20, former cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has weighed in on the biggest question facing the visitors: who will replace Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the batting lineup? In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Chopra offered his predicted playing XI, highlighting the challenges of India’s transitional phase.
🏏 Chopra’s Predicted India XI for 1st Test vs England
- KL Rahul
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (captain)
- Rishabh Pant (vice-captain & wicketkeeper)
- Karun Nair
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Shardul Thakur
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
🔍 Key Takeaways from Chopra’s Analysis
- Chopra emphasized that KL Rahul and Jaiswal are certainties at the top, despite Jaiswal’s recent dip in form.
- He backed Sai Sudharsan to debut at No. 3, citing his IPL 2025 Orange Cap-winning form.
- Shubman Gill slots into Kohli’s No. 4 role, while Pant and Karun Nair round out the middle order.
- Chopra urged the team management to stick with the chosen top six for continuity and confidence.
- On the bowling front, he opted for a three-pronged pace attack with Bumrah, Siraj, and Krishna, supported by all-rounders Jadeja and Thakur.
“The top order is going to be really, really new for Team India. There will be pain and heartbreak, but if you go through it, there is happiness on the other side,” Chopra said, reflecting on India’s generational shift.
India last won a Test series in England in 2007. With the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy and the new World Test Championship cycle on the line, all eyes will be on how this young Indian side handles the pressure.
Stay tuned for live updates from Headingley.
