The absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the England tour has been a much talked about topic ahead of the five-Test series. Many feel that the inexperienced side may struggle on England tour. With days to go for the Headingley Test, former England spinner Graeme Swann has termed the five-Test series as a "perfect warm-up for the Ashes".
Swann, who is England's second-highest Test wicket-taker as spinner, says that the Ben Stokes-led side's bowling attack has enough firepower to exploit the conditions. He feels England win the series 4-1 or 3-2 against Shubman Gill's India.
“It’s kind of a perfect warm-up for the Ashes to be honest,” Swann told Sky Sports. “India is a huge series. The last 2-3 times we have gone to India, we have been thoroughly outplayed. So in our own backyard, our home turf, we need to beat India. We need to play well. They are not gonna have Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, two absolute superstars of the bat.
“So, without that, yes, they have got great players coming in instead, but we have bowlers who can exploit our conditions well, who can bowl really well. I think England must look to win this series and I think they should look to win it convincingly as well. I will take 4-1, 3-2. I will push, but I really hope we do well and get the confidence moving into the Ashes.”
India and England's last Test encounter in Headingley
The last time India played a Test in Headingley was in 2021. India were bowled out for 78 in the first innings. Then, Joe Root scored a century and helped England post 432. Despite Cheteshwar Pujara's 91 and half-centuries from Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, India managed to post 278 on the board and lost the Test by an innings and 76 runs. However, Ollie Robinson who took seven wickets in the Test, is not the part of England's current Test squad.
Late addition to India's Test squad
The selection committee has added pacer Harshit Rana to the squad for the Headingley Test. Rana took just one wicket against England Lions. He made his Test debut on India's tour of Australia 2024-25.