England Vs India 1st Test: Key Player Battles To Watch Out For

As India and England prepare for the high-stakes five-match Test series starting June 20 at Headingley, the absence of senior Indian stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma opens the door to fresh rivalries and intriguing match-ups.

With a young Indian side under Shubman Gill taking on Ben Stokes바카라™ England in home conditions, here바카라™s a look at four key duels that could define the opening Test.

Joe Root Vs Jasprit Bumrah: The Modern Classic

Joe Root바카라™s technique and temperament have long been tested by Jasprit Bumrah바카라™s sharp pace and awkward angles. The English veteran has faced Bumrah in 24 innings, scoring 286 runs off 559 balls at a modest average of 31.77.

Bumrah, meanwhile, has dismissed Root nine times in Tests 바카라” the third-most by any bowler after Pat Cummins (11) and Josh Hazlewood (10). With Root anchoring England바카라™s batting lineup and Bumrah leading India바카라™s pace attack, this battle will once again take center stage in Leeds.

Ben Stokes Vs Ravindra Jadeja: The All-Round Duel

No clash carries more all-round influence than the one between Ben Stokes and Ravindra Jadeja. In 19 innings, Jadeja has dismissed Stokes six times, conceding just 125 runs at an average of 20.83. Whether it's in the subcontinent or overseas, Jadeja바카라™s accuracy and clever variations have kept the England skipper in check.

On the other side, Stokes has removed Jadeja thrice with pace and bounce, especially troubling him during lower-order resistance. With both being key with bat and ball, this showdown could have a telling impact on the match.

Shubman Gill Vs Shoaib Bashir: The Budding Rivalry

Their first encounter in Ranchi may have flown under the radar, but Shoaib Bashir바카라™s sharp LBW dismissal of Shubman Gill hinted at the start of something exciting. Now with Gill leading India and Bashir growing into his role as a frontline spinner with 58 wickets in 16 Tests, the rematch in England could be even more compelling.

Bashir바카라™s drift and turn versus Gill바카라™s elegance and strokeplay may evolve into a defining rivalry for the future, echoing the classic Kohli vs Anderson battles of the past.

KL Rahul Vs Chris Woakes: The Technique Test

With Kohli and Rohit gone, KL Rahul shoulders added responsibility and will be tested early by the ever-reliable Chris Woakes. Woakes바카라™ ability to swing the new ball makes him particularly dangerous in English conditions, and he has already dismissed Rahul once in Tests, trapping him LBW at The Oval in 2021.

Rahul has 614 runs in England at 34.11, including two centuries, but he remains vulnerable early in his innings. The battle between Rahul바카라™s elegant batting and Woakes바카라™ precision with the new ball could set the tone for India바카라™s innings.