The unusually dry climate right here, mixed with England’s aggressive model of play, has elevated expectations of a “good surface” for the opening Test against India starting on Friday (June 20, 2025), Leeds head of grounds Richard Robinson has stated.
Leeds often hosts a Test in the center of a sequence however staging of the opening sport has attracted a lot extra consideration.
“They (England) just want to have a good surface so it’s true, really, so we can hit through the line of the ball. That’s really what they’re looking for,” Richard Robsinon, head of grounds at Leeds, was quoted as saying by ‘ESPNCricinfo’.
Robinson expects the pitch to help the quick bowlers on the opening day earlier than flattening out due to the anticipated warmth.
A batting surface wouldn’t solely swimsuit England’s Bazball, it might additionally deliver the inexperienced Indian batting line-up far more into the contest.
Following the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Ok.L. Rahul might be the senior-most in the Indian facet led by Shubman Gill, who will have a level to show contemplating his unusual report in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) international locations.
The line-up additionally contains Yashasvi Jaiswal, who’s on his maiden tour of England with the senior workforce, and Karun Nair, who final performed a Test in 2017.
While India arrived right here on Monday (June 16, 2025), England had a coaching session at Headingley the place the surface remained lined throughout the day.
India have not performed right here a lot over the final twenty years.
They suffered an innings defeat in 2021 and of their earlier outing in 2002, they registered a well-known victory.
Published – June 18, 2025 12:34 pm IST