Cricket Prediction | ENG vs IND | India tour of England 2025 | 2nd Test | July 02 – Will This Be a Close Game?

ENG vs IND Match Analysis

The second Test between England and India kicks off on July 2, 2025, at the iconic Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. The five-day clash begins at 11:00 AM local time (3:30 PM IST), with fans eagerly awaiting another thrilling chapter in this historic rivalry. After a high-scoring first Test, both teams will be looking to make tactical adjustments and seize control of the series.

England enter this contest with renewed confidence after chasing down 371 runs in Leeds to claim a remarkable five-wicket victory. Led by Ben Stokes, the English side showcased their trademark aggressive brand of Test cricket, with the batters playing fearless cricket across both innings. 

Despite scoring over 800 runs across both innings in Leeds, India walked away empty-handed after their bowlers failed to defend a substantial target. Shubman Gill’s team showed immense batting depth and control, but the lack of penetration in the final innings was a concern. 

England vs India Team Preview & Squads

England

Ben Stokes continues to lead ENG with his aggressive mindset and tactical brilliance. He is known for changing the momentum of a game single-handedly, both with the bat and ball. His leadership in the first Test chase was instrumental and once again proves his value in high-pressure situations.

England’s batting line-up is stacked with explosive talent and stability. Joe Root and Harry Brook form a dependable middle order, while Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett provide firepower at the top. Jamie Smith adds further depth with the bat as a wicketkeeper who can accelerate the innings.

Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes bring pace and swing, offering variety to England’s attack. Shoaib Bashir’s spin complements the fast bowlers, and Sam Cook’s control could be crucial in long spells. England’s depth allows them to rotate effectively and maintain pressure on flat pitches.

In the 1st Test match at Leeds, India had 471 in their 1st innings while ENG replied with 465 to take the match to a decider. India then set a second-innings total of 364, making the target for England 371. England successfully chased down the target with 373/5, and won the match by 5 wickets. Joe Root scored a second-innings century, and a lot rested on Harry Brook for the run chase.

England Squad

England

Ben Stokes (C), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Shoaib Bashir, Jamie Smith (WK), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes

India

Leading IND for the first time in a Test series on English soil, Shubman Gill showcased poise and leadership with the bat and as captain. While he couldn’t secure a win in Leeds, his decision-making was bold and proactive. 

India’s batters took control in Leeds, led by stellar tons from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant. KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan added stability, while Ravindra Jadeja proved his all-round worth. The lineup is capable of long partnerships and accelerating when needed.

Despite an impressive arsenal of pace with Bumrah, Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh, India couldn’t finish the job on Day 5. Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja offer variety in spin, and Shardul Thakur provides balance as a seam-bowling allrounder. They may consider adding Washington Sundar for better control.

IND dominated the first three days of the Leeds Test with big scores—471 and 364. However, England’s counterattack blunted the Indian bowling unit in the final innings. Despite Jasprit Bumrah’s hostile spells, the attack couldn’t deliver the final breakthrough. India will be desperate to avoid going 0-2 down in the series.

India Squad

India

Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Harshit Rana, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Prasidh Krishna, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar

ENG vs IND Outfield Report

Edgbaston, Birmingham

The Edgbaston pitch traditionally offers good bounce and early seam movement, assisting fast bowlers in the first two days. As the match progresses, it becomes better for batting, with spinners coming into play late on Day 4 and 5. Batters who settle early can cash in big time.

The forecast for Birmingham during the Test is mostly dry, with occasional cloud cover expected. Temperatures are expected to hover between 18°C to 22°C. Overcast mornings may provide ideal swing bowling conditions for pacers.

At Edgbaston, first-innings scores typically range between 300 to 400, with the highest recorded total being 710/7 by England. Chasing anything above 280 in the fourth innings is historically challenging. Expect a first-innings target around 350 to set up the match.

England vs India Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

In the last five Test encounters between the two sides, England have won three, India have won one, and one match ended in a draw. 

ENG vs IND Prediction

According to cricket analysts England have a 52% chance of Winning.

Disclaimer: This cricket prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.