England Retain Unchanged XI for Edgbaston Test
Birmingham, England
England have confirmed they will field the same playing XI for the second Test at Edgbaston against India, ruling out Jofra Archer’s anticipated return. Ben Stokes will once again lead the side, which is looking to build on their momentum following a convincing win at Headingley. Archer, though named in the Test squad after returning to first-class cricket, was not considered for selection reportedly due to a family emergency that kept him out of training.
England have kept faith in the combination that secured their series-opening victory, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett set to open. Duckett, who earned Player of the Match honours with a match-winning 149 in Leeds, will look to continue his fine form. England’s middle-order remains steady with Joe Root, Harry Brook, and captain Ben Stokes, alongside Jamie Smith taking wicketkeeping duties. Shoaib Bashir retains his place as England’s lone spinner on a pitch expected to offer more turn as the match progresses.
✅ 🏏 India vs England 1st Test, (Headingley, 2025) – Match Summary Table
| Team | Innings 1 | Innings 2 | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 471 | 364 | 835 | Lost by 5 wickets |
| England | 465 | 373/5 | 838/5 | Won by 5 wickets |
✅ 🏏 Top Performers – India vs England, 1st Test (Headingley, 2025)
| Player | Team | Performance | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Root | England | 143 (2nd Innings) | Anchored successful chase |
| Ravindra Jadeja | India | 7 wickets (Match) | Top Indian bowler |
| Ben Stokes | England | 89 & 2 wickets | All-round performance |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | India | 112 (1st Innings) | Gave India early edge |
