Ajinkya Rahane’s Bold India XI for First Test Against England: Karun Nair Snubbed
In a surprising yet intriguing revelation, former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has shared his predicted playing XI for India’s opening Test against England, set to commence on Friday, June 20, at the iconic Headingley Stadium in Leeds. Rahane, speaking through a video on his YouTube channel, made bold choices by excluding seasoned domestic performer Karun Nair and IPL 2025 Purple Cap winner Prasidh Krishna, while handing debuts to three promising talents—Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, and Arshdeep Singh—in a squad led by Shubman Gill.
With India missing several stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami, and Cheteshwar Pujara for this series due to injuries and personal commitments, the door has swung wide open for emerging cricketers to stake their claim in the longest format. Rahane’s selection reflects a blend of youth and experience, tailored to tackle the swing-friendly English conditions—a true test of grit and adaptability.
Breaking down his lineup, Rahane opted for KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal as openers, a combination that promises flair and stability at the top. Rising star Sai Sudharsan, who has impressed in domestic circuits with a first-class average of over 40, slots in at number three—a position of immense responsibility. Captain Shubman Gill anchors the middle order at four, followed by debutant wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel at five and the dynamic Rishabh Pant, continuing as the primary gloveman, at six.
The all-round prowess of Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur strengthens the lower middle order, providing balance with their dual skills. On the bowling front, Rahane picked pace spearheads Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, complemented by left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh, whose ability to swing the ball could be a game-changer on English pitches. This selection notably overlooks Karun Nair, who last played a Test in 2017 but has been piling up runs in domestic cricket, including a staggering triple century against England Lions in 2018, and tall pacer Prasidh Krishna, despite his recent IPL heroics.
Reflecting on Gill’s maiden Test captaincy, Rahane emphasized the challenges of leading in the red-ball format. “Test cricket demands a proactive mindset. As a captain, you must stay one or two steps ahead of the opposition, constantly communicate with your bowlers, and strategize on the fly. While Shubman has excelled in T20s and ODIs, the five-day game is a different beast. I’m confident he’ll adapt and shine both as a leader and batter, though it might take time,” Rahane remarked, showcasing his faith in the young skipper.
Rahane’s predicted XI is as follows: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh. This lineup, with three pacers, one specialist spinner, and two all-rounders, seems well-equipped to handle the notorious Headingley swing and overcast conditions, which have historically favored seam bowling.
The omission of Karun Nair has sparked debate among fans and experts alike. Nair, who holds the rare distinction of scoring a 300 in Test cricket (against England in 2016), has been a consistent run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy, yet finds himself on the sidelines in Rahane’s vision. Similarly, Prasidh Krishna’s exclusion raises eyebrows, given his height, pace, and recent form in white-ball cricket. Will the team management align with Rahane’s thought process, or will they opt for proven domestic performers? Only time will tell.
As India gears up for this marquee clash, the spotlight will be on the new faces. Can Sai Sudharsan adapt to the moving ball? Will Arshdeep Singh justify his selection with early breakthroughs? And most importantly, can Shubman Gill lead from the front in a format known for testing patience and temperament? The first Test at Headingley promises to be a thrilling encounter, setting the tone for a blockbuster series between two cricketing giants.
Stay tuned for updates as we inch closer to the toss on June 20, where the real team sheet will reveal whether Rahane’s predictions hold weight or if the selectors spring a surprise in this battle of Test cricket supremacy.