Ravichandran Ashwin dons selectors hat to name India’s playing XI for the first Test against England

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has named his playing XI for the first Test against England. The 38-year-old retired from international cricket last year after the Brisbane Test against Australia with over 500 wickets to his name. Ashwin had a woeful stint in IPL 2025 with Chennai Super Kings and is currently playing in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). 

Ashwin took to his YouTube channel to name his playing XI for India against England for the opening game of the series to be played in Leeds. The 38-year-old handed the Test debut cap to Sai Sudharsan while leaving out Nitish Kumar Reddy. The former India spinner also named Ravindra Jadeja as the only tweaker in the side. 

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin read out his Indian XI for the Leeds Test and said, “KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Karun Nair, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna”.  Ashwin has gone in with three seamers plus Shardul Thakur as the all-round option. 

‘You cannot ignore Karun’s form.’ – R. Ashwin ahead of Leeds Test

During the course of his YouTube show, Ashwin said that one cannot forget the amazing form Karun Nair has shown in domestic cricket. “For No. 6 it could be either Karun Nair or Dhruv Jurel. You cannot ignore Karun's form, but I think there is a chance that Jurel comes into the mix. When Bumrah broke down in Australia, we did not have bowling options. So at No. 8, do you play Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, or another frontline pacer?" said Ashwin. 

The former India star also said that Chris Woakes could be the leading wicket taker for the home team in the five-match series. Ashwin also named Mohammed Siraj as the likely wicket-taker for the touring side. Ashwin said, “If Chris Woakes plays all five matches, I would say he would be the leading wicket-taker of the series, or maybe even Shoaib Bashir. From India, since Bumrah will not play all matches, I think Siraj will be the leading wicket-taker.”

When speaking about the leading run-getters, Ashwin said, “Have to go with KL Rahul as the leading run-scorer, but because he is opening the batting, he might have a few first innings glitches. So, I will go with Rishabh Pant instead. Rishabh can only get himself out. Can't look past Joe Root for England, while Ben Duckett is also a good shout."