India vs England Test series kicks off at Headingley: Bumrah set for selective three Tests

Jasprit Bumrah returns from injury to play three Tests in the crucial five-match series starting at Headingley, while Shubman Gill leads India as the new Test captain after Rohit Sharma's retirement. This workload-managed approach highlights India's strategic balance between player fitness and leadership stability in the new World Test Championship cycle.

Sources:
NDTV SportsThehinduTimesofindia+1
Updated 2h ago
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Sources: NDTV SportsThehinduTimesofindia+1
India's much-anticipated five-Test series against England kicks off on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, marking the start of the new World Test Championship cycle.

Jasprit Bumrah, India's premier fast bowler, will feature selectively in three Tests due to a stress reaction in his back and workload management concerns. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed Bumrah will not play all five Tests, with the plan to utilize him in the first, second, and fourth matches, allowing sufficient recovery time between games.

Ex-teammate Dinesh Karthik noted, "India to utilise Bumrah for the first, second and fourth Tests in England, considering the gap between those contests offers enough break for his body to recover." Bumrah himself emphasized his decision to prioritize bowling over leadership, having declined the Test captaincy to manage his workload effectively.

Following Rohit Sharma's retirement from Test cricket, Shubman Gill was appointed as the new Test captain, with the England series as his first leadership assignment. Bumrah had been a frontrunner for captaincy but withdrew, stating, "BCCI was looking at me as the leadership role, but I have to say no to them because it's not ideal when someone is leading for 3 Tests then some others have to lead rest of the tests so it's not fair for the team as I wanted to put team first."

The strategy reflects India's focus on maintaining Bumrah's fitness for key matches in the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, balancing his critical role as a pace spearhead with the demands of a long series.

The series opener at Headingley will test India's adaptability with a new captain and a managed workload for their star bowler, setting the tone for a competitive contest ahead.
Sources: NDTV SportsThehindu
India's Test series against England begins June 20 at Headingley, with Jasprit Bumrah set to play selectively in three of five matches due to workload and injury management. Shubman Gill will captain the team, marking his first leadership role after Rohit Sharma's retirement.
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The Headline

Bumrah's selective Test return and Gill's captaincy confirmed

Key Facts
  • Jasprit Bumrah will return to international cricket for the first time since January in the upcoming five-Test series against England starting June 20.1
  • BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed Bumrah will not play all five Tests due to workload management.NDTV Sports
  • Ex-teammate Dinesh Karthik expects Bumrah to play the first, second, and fourth Tests considering the recovery gaps between those matches.NDTV Sports
  • India will have more than a week's gap between the first, second, and fourth Tests, allowing Bumrah sufficient time to recover and regain fitness.NDTV Sports
  • Bumrah declined the Test captaincy for the England series, prioritizing his bowling responsibilities and workload management.2Thehindu
  • Bumrah emphasized that frequent leadership changes during a five-Test series would be unfair to the team and he wanted to put the team first.ThehinduTimesofindia
  • Following Rohit Sharma's retirement, Shubman Gill was appointed as the new Test captain for the England series, marking his first leadership assignment.3ThehinduTimesofindia
  • The five-match India vs England Test series will commence at Headingley, Leeds, marking India's first Test in the new World Test Championship cycle.Timesofindia
BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah will not play all five India vs England Tests - IANS - Updated: June 17, 2025 11:33 am IST
NDTV Sports
NDTV Sports
Jasprit Bumrah will return to international action this week for the first time since January, when the side faces England in a five-Test series.
Hindustantimes
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As far as his participation in the England series in concerned, Bumrah is planning to play in at least three Test matches, including the opener at Headingley.
Thehindu
Thehindu
Jasprit Bumrah, initially a frontrunner for India's Test captaincy, withdrew from consideration due to workload concerns.
Timesofindia
Timesofindia

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Background Context

Bumrah's injury background and recovery

Key Facts
  • Jasprit Bumrah sustained a stress reaction in his back during a Test in January 2025, which has influenced his limited participation in the upcoming series.NDTV Sports
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