India will kick off the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with a tough series against England on foreign soil. After missing out on the 2023-25 WTC final, having suffered back-to-back series defeats against New Zealand and Australia, India will look to bounce back. Their record in England has been challenging, with their last series win there coming in 2007.
However, during their most recent tour in 2021-2022, they came close to breaking that streak, taking a 2-1 series lead before the final match was postponed due to COVID-19. When the series resumed nearly a year later, England won the fifth Test, leveling the series.
England’s veteran Joe Root acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating there would be no hiding place for his side against a formidable opponent like India. Root emphasized the need for consistent performances if England is to achieve the desired results.
“We perform well in familiar conditions, but with India visiting for a five-match series, there’s no room to hide. It’s a challenging and lengthy journey, and consistency is key. You need to deliver match-winning performances consistently throughout,” the former England captain shared with Sky Sports.
On the Indian side, there are several areas of concern to address if they are to succeed in England. The form of key players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remains a significant worry, with mounting pressure on these veterans to deliver. There were doubts about their inclusion in the squad for the England tour, but recent reports suggest both will make the trip. For Kohli and Rohit, this could very well be their last chance to prove they still have what it takes at the Test level, as a poor series may spell the end of their Test careers.
Additionally, India will be hoping for Jasprit Bumrah to regain full fitness ahead of the series. The fast bowler has been sidelined since picking up a back injury in Australia, but reports indicate that he is expected to return during the latter half of the IPL season, potentially in time for the England tour.