England’s Test squad has seen big changes. Jamie Overton is back. He last played in 2022 at Headingley. Gus Atkinson is out with an injury. Chris Woakes and Jacob Bethell are also back. The first Test starts on June 20 at Headingley.
Overton replaces Atkinson as a fast bowler. He impressed at this same venue in 2022. England needs pace after injuries to Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, and Olly Stone.
Jofra Archer may return in the second Test. He is playing a game soon for Sussex. England’s bowling attack looks fresh, but risky. Bethell’s return creates pressure for Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope.
India is also making big changes. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R Ashwin have retired. Shubman Gill is now the captain. Jasprit Bumrah may miss some matches. The series will be a test for both teams. Let’s break it down.
🟥 Jamie Overton’s Return and England’s Selection Drama Explained
Jamie Overton has only one Test cap. It came in 2022 at Headingley. He made 97 runs and took two wickets. It was a strong debut. But injuries and the IPL kept him out.
Now he is back. Gus Atkinson is injured. Mark Wood and Olly Stone are also out. England needs pace, which proved vital for Bangladesh. Jamie Overton offers bounce and speed. Selector Luke Wright said he’s ready.
He recently broke a finger but has recovered. Overton is ahead of Matthew Potts in the pecking order. Potts has played 10 Tests. He has 36 wickets. Still, he is not in the squad.
Jacob Bethell is also back. He did well in New Zealand and scored three fifties. He missed the last match due to the IPL. Now, there is a headache. Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope did well against Zimbabwe. But Bethell might replace one soon.
Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse are also fit now. Sam Cook and Josh Tongue stay in the squad. England play a warm-up match before the first Test.
The squad is full of options. But not all can play. That’s the big headache. The bowling has depth. But batting changes are also possible. Overton will feel the pressure to deliver again.
🟨 Why Jamie Overton Could Be Key at Headingley Again
Overton knows the Headingley pitch. He has done well here before. The ground suits fast bowlers. Overton is tall and hits the deck hard.
England needs someone like that. Mark Wood and Jofra Archer are not fit. Overton may play in the starting XI. His speed and bounce are important.
Luke Wright also said Overton offers batting depth. In his debut, he scored 97. That’s more than most all-rounders. England might pick him for both skills.
Bethell’s return and Crawley-Pope’s form make batting tricky. But the bowling plan looks set. Overton, Woakes, and Tongue could share duties. That’s a strong mix if all stay fit, like a godfather.
Here is the full list of fixtures:
1st Test: 20-24 June, 2025 – Headingley, Leeds
2nd Test: 2-6 July, 2025 – Edgbaston, Birmingham
3rd Test: 10-14 July, 2025 – Lord’s, London
4th Test: 23-27 July, 2025 – Old Trafford, Manchester
5th Test: 31 July- 4 August, 2025 – The Oval, London
🟩 Jofra Archer, Bumrah, and the Big Fast Bowling Puzzle
Jofra Archer could return in the second Test. He will play a match for Sussex. If fit, he might join the squad at Edgbaston. His last red-ball game was in 2021.
Injuries have kept him out. He had elbow surgery. Then a back problem. And recently, a thumb injury during IPL. But selectors say he is recovering well, the Indian team has the disadvantage as Virat has recently retired.
Bumrah is also not playing all five Tests. India will rest him for some games. His back injury needs careful handling. India has Siraj, Arshdeep, Prasidh, and Shardul as backup.
Coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill are confident. They say India has enough fast bowlers. Gill said, “We will manage without Bumrah if needed.”
England is in a similar spot. Archer, Wood, and Stone are not fully fit. Overton fills a big gap. That’s why his recall matters, like India in CT 2025.
Both teams are trusting their bench strength. That could decide the series. Fast bowlers will play a big role. Especially in English conditions. As the Indian team did well in Australian conditions against the Australian team.
🟨 India’s Transition Era and What It Means for the Series
India now enters a new phase after a CT 2025 win. Kohli, Rohit, and Ashwin are gone. Shubman Gill leads a young squad. They play a four-day warm-up before the first Test.
Gill has pressure as captain and batsman. Ponting said Gill must work on his Test mindset. His average is 35.05 in 32 Tests.
India’s bowling will miss Bumrah and Shami. But they have depth. If they adapt, they can win their first series in England since 2007.
🔚 Conclusion
This series is full of new beginnings. England have recalled Jamie Overton. India has a new captain in Shubman Gill. Both teams are missing key players. But both have depth.
Overton’s return is big. He can swing a bat and a ball. Archer may return soon. Bethell adds pressure to England’s top order.
India’s pace attack is also strong. Bumrah may not play all the games. But Gill and Gambhir trust their squad. The series will be exciting. The future stars will step up.
Both sides are in transition. That makes this contest even more important. England vs India 2025 could shape their Test future. All eyes are on Headingley, June 20.
