IND vs ENG 2nd Test 2025: Match Preview, Pitch Report, Squads & Dream11 Prediction
The India tour of England 2025 continues with the 2nd Test match between IND vs ENG 2nd Test from July 2 to July 6, 2025, at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, starting at 3:30 PM IST. England leads the five-match series 1-0 after their strong performance at Headingley. This match is crucial for both sides as part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27.
Can Shubman Gill’s India bounce back? Or will Ben Stokes’ England tighten their grip with another win?
Match Preview: IND vs ENG 2nd Test
- Under the Bazball-inspired aggression of Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, England secured a five-wicket win in the 1st Test thanks to Ben Duckett’s 149 and clinical finishing by the middle order.
- India, captained by Shubman Gill, showed fight with Rishabh Pant’s twin centuries and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s debut hundred, but their bowlers couldn’t defend the target on a flat pitch.
- Squad updates suggest Kuldeep Yadav might return to India’s playing XI for spin variation, while England may consider bringing in Jofra Archer to boost their pace battery.
Edgbaston Pitch Report
Edgbaston in Birmingham is known for its swing-friendly conditions, particularly in the early sessions of the Test:
- Days 1 & 2: Seam bowlers will get movement, especially under cloudy skies.
- Days 3 & 4: The pitch tends to flatten out, ideal for batting.
- Day 5: Cracks and footmarks may aid spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Shoaib Bashir.
- Average 1st Innings Score: 302
- Average 2nd Innings Score: 315
Toss Prediction: Teams may opt to bowl first to make use of early swing.
Weather Forecast (July 2–6, 2025)
- Day 1: Cloudy with possible rain & thunderstorms.
- Day 2 & 3: Clearer skies, ideal for batting.
- Day 4 & 5: Showers expected (55% chance).
- Temperature: 20–25°C
- Humidity: ~50% – ideal for swing.
Squads for IND vs ENG 2nd Test 2025
England Squad
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Wicket-Keepers | Jamie Smith, Ollie Pope |
| Batters | Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook |
| All-Rounders | Ben Stokes (C), Chris Woakes, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton |
| Bowlers | Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir, Samuel James Cook, Jofra Archer* |
*Jofra Archer was added to the squad; playing XI inclusion is uncertain.
India Squad
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Wicket-Keepers | Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel |
| Batters | Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Abhimanyu Easwaran |
| All-Rounders | Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, Nitish Reddy |
| Bowlers | Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep |
*Harshit Rana has been released from the squad for this Test.
Key Players to Watch
India
- Rishabh Pant: Twin centuries in 1st Test — the X-factor in swing conditions.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: 101 on debut — looks solid up top.
- Jasprit Bumrah: Has dismissed Joe Root 9 times — a match-up to watch.
- Kuldeep Yadav: Could exploit Day 5 spin if he plays.
- Ravindra Jadeja: All-rounder crucial on turning tracks.
England
- Ben Duckett: MOM in 1st Test — 62 & 149.
- Joe Root: Reliable at Edgbaston — strong Dream11 captain pick.
- Ben Stokes: Key for his leadership & bat-ball utility.
- Chris Woakes: Deadly with the new ball in home conditions.
- Shoaib Bashir: England’s spin option for a deteriorating pitch.
Dream11 Team Suggestion: IND vs ENG 2nd Test
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Wicket-Keeper | Rishabh Pant |
| Batters | Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ben Duckett, Joe Root (C), Shubman Gill |
| All-Rounders | Ravindra Jadeja, Ben Stokes (VC), Chris Woakes |
| Bowlers | Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj |
Captain: Joe Root
Vice-Captain: Ben Stokes
Team Balance: 1 WK, 4 Batters, 3 All-Rounders, 3 Bowlers
Consider swapping in Shoaib Bashir or Jofra Archer if confirmed in XI.
Fantasy Cricket Tips
- Swing Early, Spin Late: Pick seamers for Days 1–2, spinners for Days 4–5 impact.
- Top-order priority: Choose in-form batters like Duckett and Jaiswal.
- Captaincy call: Root or Pant are high-yield Dream11 captain options.
- Monitor the Toss: The team bowling first could gain an early advantage.
Head-to-Head Stats: IND vs ENG in Tests
| Matches | India Wins | England Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 136 | 35 | 52 |
| At Edgbaston | 8 | 1 (1986) | 6 |
Recent Form: India won 4–1 at home in 2024, but England holds a 66% win probability at home.
Where to Watch IND vs ENG 2nd Test Live
- Live Streaming: JioCinema / Hotstar
- TV Broadcast: Sony Sports Network
- Match Timings: 3:30 PM IST (11:00 AM local time)
- Live Score: Cricbuzz
Key Battles to Watch
- Bumrah vs Root: 9 dismissals — Root’s technique vs Bumrah’s seam skill.
- Pant vs Woakes/Carse: Can Pant dominate swing like in 2021?
- Duckett vs Siraj: Duckett has scored 108 off Siraj without losing his wicket.
Conclusion: Who Will Win IND vs ENG 2nd Test?
- England’s Edge: Home advantage, Stokes’ aggressive tactics, and a 1-0 lead.
- India’s Chance: Youthful energy, explosive batters (Pant, Jaiswal), and Kuldeep’s wrist-spin could surprise.
- X-Factor: Weather interruptions could tilt the game toward a draw.
Predicted Outcome: England slight favorites (66% win probability), but expect a closely fought contest.
