England, India Begin Five-Test Series Opening ICC World Test Championship Cycle

India and England are set to renew their cricket rivalry with a five-match Test series starting June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, marking the beginning of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. England enters the series with significant bowling injuries, including the absence of key pacers Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson, giving India an advantage that their young batsmen are urged to capitalize on early. India, meanwhile, faces challenges with the injury of middle-order batter Karun Nair, whose participation in the first Test is uncertain after a net session incident. The series also signifies a new era for India without stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, with captain Shubman Gill expected to lead a restructured team against England’s evolving lineup. Key battles highlighted include Jasprit Bumrah’s potential impact despite fitness concerns, and England’s hope to mitigate his threat while relying on captain Ben Stokes’ leadership. Betting odds favor England to win the opening Test at Headingley, where Joe Root and Jasprit Bumrah are tipped as standout performers for their respective teams.