Sanjay Bangar’s Bold Prediction: Abhimanyu Easwaran at No. 3, No Spot for Shardul Thakur in India’s XI vs England
As the cricketing world gears up for an electrifying five-Test series between India and England, former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has stirred the pot with a surprising prediction for India’s playing XI. With the series set to kick off on June 20, 2025, at Headingley, Bangar’s lineup excludes fan-favorite all-rounder Shardul Thakur while featuring emerging talent Nitish Kumar Reddy and placing Abhimanyu Easwaran at the crucial No. 3 spot. This selection signals a potential shift in India’s strategy as they embark on their quest for a rare Test series win on English soil.
A New-Look Indian XI: Bangar’s Vision
In a candid discussion with JioHotstar, Bangar unveiled his ideal lineup for the first Test: Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul as openers, Abhimanyu Easwaran at No. 3, captain Shubman Gill at No. 4, explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant at No. 5, seasoned campaigner Karun Nair at No. 6, Nitish Kumar Reddy at No. 7, spinner Kuldeep Yadav at No. 8, and a pace trio of Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah. Notably absent from this XI is Shardul Thakur, whose all-round abilities have often been a valuable asset for India in overseas conditions.
Explaining his decision to prioritize Reddy over Thakur, Bangar emphasized, ‘I see Nitish as a batter who can bowl rather than a bowler who bats. He starts in my team ahead of Shardul. Nitish Reddy will play first.’ This choice reflects Bangar’s confidence in Reddy’s batting potential, especially after the youngster’s promising performances in domestic cricket and IPL, where he amassed 303 runs at a strike rate of 142.92 for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2024.
India’s Transition and Challenges in England
The Indian squad touched down in England on June 7, 2025, and wasted no time diving into intense training sessions to acclimatize to the challenging conditions. This series, part of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle, holds immense significance as it marks a new era for Indian Test cricket following the retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, with Rishabh Pant as vice-captain and wicketkeeper, India aims to clinch their first Test series victory in England since 2007, when they triumphed 1-0 under Rahul Dravid’s captaincy.
With iconic venues like Lord’s, Edgbaston, and Old Trafford on the itinerary, the swinging conditions and unpredictable English weather will test India’s resolve. Bangar’s faith in players like Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has been prolific in domestic cricket with over 7,000 runs in First-Class cricket at an average of 48.21, and Karun Nair, known for his historic triple century against England in 2016, suggests a focus on building a robust middle order to counter England’s potent bowling attack led by Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes.
Squad Depth and Strategic Dilemmas
The Indian squad for the series blends experience with youthful exuberance. Alongside Gill and Pant, the team includes emerging stars like Sai Sudharsan, backup wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, and versatile all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. The pace department looks formidable with Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge, supported by Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh. However, Bangar’s exclusion of Thakur raises questions about balancing the side, especially given Shardul’s knack for delivering crucial breakthroughs and contributing lower-order runs in English conditions, as evidenced by his 117 runs and 5 wickets in the 2021 series.
On the other side, England, captained by Ben Stokes, boasts a balanced squad with the likes of Joe Root, Harry Brook, and young talents like Jamie Smith. Their bowling unit, featuring Shoaib Bashir and Brydon Carse, will look to exploit home conditions and challenge India’s revamped batting lineup.
Final Thoughts: A Series to Watch
As anticipation builds for this blockbuster series, Sanjay Bangar’s predicted XI offers a glimpse into the tough selection calls awaiting India’s team management. Will Abhimanyu Easwaran cement his place at No. 3? Can Nitish Kumar Reddy justify his selection over a proven performer like Shardul Thakur? With both teams hungry for a strong start in the World Test Championship cycle, cricket fans are in for a treat. Mark your calendars for June 20—this battle of titans is set to redefine Test cricket rivalries!