Picture the roar of the Edgbaston crowd as Shubman Gill leads India onto the field, determined to erase the sting of a first Test loss.
After England’s dramatic five-wicket win in Leeds, the 2nd Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, starting July 2, 2025, is India’s chance to fight back.
With new players, a cloudy Birmingham sky, and a fiery women’s T20I series unfolding, cricket fever is at its peak. Ready to dive into the action? Let’s break down what’s at stake!
- The Stakes: Why the 2nd Test is crucial for India’s World Test Championship hopes.
- Team Changes: Three big switches in India’s playing XI.
- Key Players: Spotlight on Gill, Jaiswal, Pant, and Stokes.
- Women’s T20I Buzz: India Women’s stunning win in Bristol.
- Live Streaming: Where to watch the Test and T20I.
- Quick Summary: Key facts for busy fans.
- Why It Matters: India’s quest for redemption and glory.
The Stakes at Edgbaston
India’s 2025 tour of England kicked off with a heartbreaking loss in Leeds, despite scoring five centuries—a Test cricket first.
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, a five-match series, is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27, and India needs a win at Edgbaston (July 2–6, 2025) to level the score at 1-1. Edgbaston’s pitch favors fast bowlers, but spinners struggle, with wickets costing 44.45 runs on average this decade.
Cloudy weather may delay the toss, adding drama to this high-stakes clash.
India’s Playing XI: Three Big Changes
After the Leeds defeat, India made bold changes, dropping Sai Sudharsan, Shardul Thakur, and Jasprit Bumrah (likely rested due to a back injury and heavy workload).
In come Karun Nair, Washington Sundar, and Akash Deep, with Nitish Kumar Reddy also in contention. Shubman Gill leads, with Rishabh Pant as vice-captain.
England, under Ben Stokes, named an unchanged XI, banking on Chris Woakes and Jamie Smith’s form. Here’s the lineup:
| Team | Playing XI |
|---|---|
| India | Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc), Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna |
| England | Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir |
Key Players to Watch
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: After a strong start in Leeds, Jaiswal’s aggressive batting could make him India’s fastest to a Test milestone if he continues his form. He’s already dealing boundaries with Nair on Day 1.
- Shubman Gill: The young captain needs to lead from the front after a mixed Leeds performance. His tactical decisions, especially with spinners, will be key.
- Rishabh Pant: India’s vice-captain smashed two centuries in the first Test. England’s Chris Woakes has plans to dismiss him early, making this a thrilling duel.
- Ben Stokes: England’s captain and all-rounder is a game-changer. With 920 runs at Edgbaston, including three centuries, he’s a major threat.
- Kuldeep Yadav vs. Washington Sundar: India’s likely to play two spinners, with Sundar edging out Kuldeep for his all-round skills, per experts like Michael Clarke.
India Women’s T20I Triumph
While the men battle at Edgbaston, India Women stole the show in Bristol, winning the 2nd T20I against England Women on July 1, 2025.
Jemimah Rodrigues and Amanjot Kaur’s fiery half-centuries lifted India from 31/3 to a stunning victory, ending England’s unbeaten T20I streak at the venue.
The series, part of India’s 2025 England tour, continues with three more T20Is, starting July 5 in Nottingham. This win boosts India’s momentum in the white-ball format.
How to Watch: Live Streaming and Telecast
Don’t miss a ball of the action! Here’s how to catch the 2nd Test and women’s T20I:
- 2nd Test (Men’s):
- TV: Sports18, Colors Cineplex.
- Online: JioCinema (free), Disney+ Hotstar.
- Time: 3:30 PM IST, July 2–6, 2025.
- Women’s T20I (3rd Match):
- TV: Sony Sports Network.
- Online: SonyLiv, FanCode.
- Time: Check local listings for July 5, 2025, at Nottingham.
Cloudy weather may delay the Test’s start, so follow live updates on metroskope.in or apps like Cricbuzz.
Quick Summary
- What: India vs England 2nd Test, Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, July 2–6, 2025.
- Where: Edgbaston, Birmingham; live on JioCinema, Sports18.
- India’s XI: Jaiswal, Rahul, Nair, Gill (c), Pant (vc), Reddy, Jadeja, Sundar, Akash, Siraj, Krishna.
- England’s XI: Crawley, Duckett, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (c), Smith, Woakes, Carse, Tongue, Bashir.
- Key Battles: Jaiswal’s form, Pant vs. Woakes, Sundar’s spin.
- Women’s T20I: India Women beat England in Bristol; next match July 5.
- Action: Watch live, follow updates on metroskope.in.
- Why: India aims to level series after Leeds loss.
Why This Test Matters
India’s Leeds loss, despite dominating with five centuries, put them in a must-win spot to stay alive in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy and the World Test Championship.
Edgbaston is a tough venue—India’s memories here aren’t fond, with England’s Joe Root averaging 70.76. But with young stars like Jaiswal and Pant, and tactical changes like adding Sundar, India’s ready to fight back.
The women’s T20I win shows India’s depth, boosting national pride. X posts, like @BCCI’s, capture the buzz, with fans rallying behind Gill’s squad.
- Follow Live Scores: Use JioCinema or Cricbuzz for real-time updates, especially with rain risks.
- Track Key Players: Watch Jaiswal’s opening bursts and Pant’s counterattacks.
- Women’s T20I: Catch Rodrigues and Kaur in the next T20I on SonyLiv.
- Stay Updated: Check metroskope.in for daily cricket news and analysis.
Challenges and Opportunities
- Weather: Cloudy skies may delay play, but India’s pacers (Siraj, Akash) could exploit conditions.
- Bumrah’s Absence: Resting Bumrah is a risk, but Akash Deep’s pace offers hope.
- England’s Form: Stokes and Root are in top gear, but India’s spinners could turn the tide if the pitch assists.
Why 2025 Is a Big Year for Indian Cricket
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy is a marquee series, testing India’s young brigade under Gill. With only one Test win in their last nine outings, this match is a chance to reset.
The women’s team’s T20I success signals India’s growing dominance across formats. With 2025’s packed cricket calendar, including the IPL and World Test Championship, every match counts. Fans are buzzing on X, with @cricketnext sharing live XI updates, fueling excitement.
The India vs England 2nd Test at Edgbaston is more than a match—it’s India’s shot at redemption. With Gill leading a revamped XI, stars like Jaiswal and Pant in form, and India Women shining in T20Is, cricket fans are in for a treat.
Watch live on JioCinema or Sports18, follow updates on metroskope.in, and cheer for India to level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Don’t miss this epic clash—your support could spark a turnaround!
References: Amar Ujala, ESPNcricinfo, Times Now Hindi, Jansatta, Hindustan Times, Sportstar, Wisden, SportsTak, Indian Express, Times of India, News18
