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India to kickstart new WTC cycle with 5-Test series in England in 2025

Written by Rohit Pawar

India will begin their World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle with a high-profile five-Test series in England in June-August next year. The England and Wales Cricket Board announced the fixtures for the series when they released the next’s home summer schedule on Thursday, August 22.

Headingley in Leeds will host the first Test from June 20. The series opener will be played shortly after the World Test Championship 2023-25 final, which is set to be played in London in June. Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford and the Oval are the venues for the other four Tests of the series.

This will be the first time India are touring England for a bilateral Test series since the 2021-22 tour. Virat Kohli led the team to a 2-1 lead before the final Test was rescheduled and played in 2022. India lost the rescheduled Test under Jasprit Bumrah’s captaincy, allowing England to level the series.

India women will also be played five T20Is and three ODIs at the same time in England.

ENGLAND VS INDIA, TEST SERIES SCHEDULE IN 2025

  1. 1st Test: June 20-24 – Headingley, Leeds
  2. 2nd Test: July 2-6 – Edgbaston, Birmingham
  3. 3rd Test: July 10-14 – Lord’s, London
  4. 4thTest: July 23-27 – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
  5. 5th Test: July 31-August 4 – The Kia Oval, London

England will open their home summer with a one-off Test against Zimbabwe from May 22 at Trent Bridge. It will be the first time Zimbabwe will play a Test match in England since 2003.

Richard Gould, ECB’s Chief Executive Officer, hoped the five-Test series against India will be as exciting as the last one.

“India touring is always a big draw and a highlight of any cricket summer. The last Men’s Test series here was a nailbiter and I’m sure next year’s clash will be just as exciting, while our women’s series are always fiercely competitive. I’m delighted we’ll also be welcoming both West Indies teams back again for white ball series, following this year’s Men’s Test series,” Gould said.

Shedding light on the return of Zimbabwe, Gould added: “To be welcoming Zimbabwe back for a Men’s Test Match will be a historic moment, more than 20 years since their last visit. Test cricket is so beloved in this country, and we know that we have an important role to play in supporting developing test cricketing nations so that this format of the game thrives long into the future.”

About the author

Rohit Pawar

An Independent I.T. Security Expert, Geek, Blogger & Passionate Programmer.