- June 20, 2025
If you are cricket-crazy like I am, hearing the words “India vs England Test series in England” certainly gets the blood pumping. Dukes swinging, bright sun, lush green fields, and tests of attrition – what is not to love? Ahead of the 2025-27 World Test Championship, he firmly believes the first-ever 5-match Test series will conclude in a 2-2 draw. That’s right, in England, against a Ben Stokes-led team with a home Test series unbeaten run since mid-2022, Karthik strongly contends that the series will end in a draw.
Injuries, Instincts, and England’s Achilles Heel
Upon first glance, Dinesh Karthik’s call of 2-2 for Team India didn’t look too brave, in fact, he was maybe leaning more toward a 3-1 result for England, so where does that leave us? The answer is simple, two words: injury crisis.
Remember England’s fast bowling unit, which they are usually proud of as having depth, that’s not looking particularly threatening as it stands after losing a few key players and having others nicked up. We can all but forget about good old reliable Jimmy Anderson, now 43, who might not now make it through the series. Jofra Archer would also not be a good bet. Mark Wood is very fast, but for England, it’s whole ‘handle with care’ situation.
With England’s bowling not fully fit, the usual pressure on Indian batters to survive six-hour marathons against relentless pace may ease a fraction. This may tip the scales sufficiently to keep the series tight, even in England’s backyard.
Shubman Gill’s Captaincy Baptism: Fire or Fortune?
Anyone who proclaims that they know how Shubman Gill will shape up as Test captain is lying. It is completely unknown territory. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are no longer, so the keys are handed to a player who is more known for timing than toughness, at least to this point anyway.
Leading a Test team in England, especially with Bazball looking over your shoulder, is not easy. England under Ben Stokes has turned home red-ball cricket upside down: aggressive declarations, 5-an-over chases, and reverse-scooping pace bowlers like it’s T20.
Gill’s proficiency will be judged both tactically and emotionally. Will he bet on himself, go to war with England’s zealous style, or will he fall back in stupendous caution? Gill’s ability to wrestle with crucial moments—setting aggressive fields, mixing & matching bowlers, and promoting batters to push the game—could tell the difference between yet another disappointment and a whopper victory.
History Says No, But Momentum Says Maybe
Don’t forget India hasn’t won a Test series in England since 2007. Also known as the Rahul Dravid period, when iPhones weren’t even launched in India yet. The heartbreak has become a pattern since then. India lost the 2011 series 0-4. They lost again in 2014, 1-3. They again lost the 2018 series 1-4, and last year the series was leveled 2-2 after the postponed fifth Test due to COVID re-scheduled the result.
But there’s a twist: India has been competitive in almost every series of late. They have dominated phases, gained first-innings leads, even looked like they might win the series, but every time they’ve let these positions slip. If they can stop leaking wins and take advantage of injury-sapped England, and if Shubman can keep his head, then 2-2 doesn’t just feel possible. It feels hopeful with a chance.
Let us know in the comments below what you think—does Gill’s boys have what it takes to break the 17-year streak, or will Bazball be too wild to tame? Keep your whites at the ready—this series could be the red-ball rollercoaster we have all been spitefully waiting for.
For more, visit JeetBuzz News to read our quality Cricket Blog updates. Explore if you want to reminisce and enjoy all of your favourite cricket players and nostalgic match moments. To ensure that you never miss out, keep updated and join in the fun!
