As the cricketing world turns its attention to Edgbaston, Birmingham, the India vs England 2nd Test (July 2–6, 2025) promises high drama, tactical intrigue, and a fierce battle for momentum in this five-match series. With England leading 1-0 after a thrilling chase at Headingley, India must regroup quickly to level the series at a venue where history has rarely been on their side.
Match Details
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Date: July 2–6, 2025
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Venue: Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham
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Start Time: 3:30 PM IST / 11:00 AM Local
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Series Status: England lead 1-0
Edgbaston: The Venue Challenge
Edgbaston has traditionally been a fortress for England. India have played eight Tests here without a single win, their best result being a draw back in 1967. In 16 innings at this venue, India have crossed 300 runs only twice, highlighting the challenge for their batters. The pitch typically offers early assistance to seamers, but can flatten out as the match progresses, bringing spinners into play later.
Recent Form
| Team | Last 5 Tests |
|---|---|
| England | W W L W W |
| India | L L L D L |
England come in with the momentum of a successful chase, while India’s recent record shows inconsistency, making this Test a critical juncture.
Probable Playing XIs
India:
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Yashasvi Jaiswal
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KL Rahul
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Sai Sudharsan
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Shubman Gill (Captain)
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Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)
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Karun Nair
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Ravindra Jadeja
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Kuldeep Yadav
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Mohammed Siraj
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Prasidh Krishna
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Akash Deep / Arshdeep Singh
Key Notes:
Jasprit Bumrah is rested for workload management, so Siraj leads the pace attack. Kuldeep Yadav’s wrist spin is expected to play a major role, especially if the pitch dries out.
England:
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Zak Crawley
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Ben Duckett
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Ollie Pope (Vice-Captain)
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Joe Root
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Harry Brook
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Ben Stokes (Captain)
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Jamie Smith (Wicketkeeper)
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Chris Woakes
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Brydon Carse
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Josh Tongue
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Shoaib Bashir
Key Notes:
Jofra Archer is not in the squad due to some unknown reasons. England are likely to stick to their winning combination unless conditions demand otherwise.
Key Stats & Head-to-Head
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Total Tests Played (India vs England): 137
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England Wins: 52
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India Wins: 35
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Draws: 50
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India at Edgbaston (Tests): 8 matches, 0 wins, 1 draw, 7 losses
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Highest Test Score at Edgbaston: England 710/7 (vs India, 2011)
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Recent Edgbaston Memory: In 2022, England chased 378 in just 76.4 overs against India, underlining the venue’s unpredictability.
Players to Watch
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India: Shubman Gill (captaincy under scrutiny), Kuldeep Yadav (potential X-factor), Rishabh Pant (return to form), Mohammed Siraj (pace spearhead).
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England: Joe Root (batting mainstay), Ben Stokes (all-round impact), Ollie Pope (vice-captaincy), Chris Woakes (home conditions specialist).
Tactical Talking Points
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India: Need to address lapses in crunch moments, especially with the bat, and find the right bowling combination in Bumrah’s absence. Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion could add much-needed variety.
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England: Will look to exploit India’s historical struggles at Edgbaston and press their advantage with a settled attack and in-form top order.
Practice Gallery
Conclusion:
With history, momentum, and team selection all in the spotlight, the Edgbaston Test is set to be a classic. Can India break their winless streak at this venue and level the series, or will England tighten their grip? Stay tuned for live action and updates as this storied rivalry continues.
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