Ben Stokes’ England will face an Indian team led by new skipper Shubman Gill at Headingley on Friday in the first Test of a five-match series. The visitors are beginning a new era without the heavyweights, ace batter Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, as they aim to end their 18-year wait for a Test series victory over England at their home. Let’s take a look at three significant battles that can shape the series, which marks the start of a new cycle in the World Test Championship. Bumrah vs. England’s top order Jasprit Bumrah is the best all-format bowler in world cricket today, with his Test record of 205 wickets at an average of under 20 putting him among cricket’s greats. However, with five demanding games over less than seven weeks, Bumrah, who suffered a back injury in Australia in January, has mentioned that he wouldn’t feature in every match. With a unique action and the ability to generate a sharp pace off a short run, Bumrah is one of the most challenging bowlers for batters to face. The ace Indian pacer was named ICC men’s cricketer of the year for 2024 after taking 71 Test wickets at an astonishing average of just 14.92. Wisden editor Lawrence Booth described Bumrah as “challenging” when he was named the leading men’s cricketer in the world in the 2025 edition. England’s goal is to blunt Bumrah, forcing him to bowl more overs than he would prefer. Achieving that could be half the battle won. Captains: Stokes vs. Gill Gill would relish nothing more than to lead from the front in his first series as India skipper. The 25-year-old, however, has a modest Test batting average of 35 in 32 games and a dismal average of less than 15 in three matches in England. Gill faces a tough challenge in shaping a new-look team without the retired star batter Kohli and former captain Rohit, as he aims for India’s fourth series victory over England at their home after wins in 1971, 1986, and 2007. Gill will be up against Stokes, who has shown an invaluable capability to inspire those around him since taking over from Joe Root as England skipper three years back. It has been two years since Stokes scored the last of his 13 Test centuries, a brilliant 155 against Australia at Lord’s but he has been hampered by injuries. Nevertheless, Stokes remains a threat with his medium pace, as he demonstrated in last month’s Test victory over Zimbabwe, showcasing his enduring capability to take crucial wickets. Wicketeepers: Smith vs. Pant It is rare for a Test wicketkeeper to be selected based on their skills behind the stumps, with batting capability now a major factor. Nobody exemplifies this trend better than India’s Rishabh Pant, who averages just over 42 in 43 games, with six centuries and possesses the ability to dismantle attacks. At his best, Pant can produce brilliant dismissals in the field, although he appears to lose concentration. Pant’s presence on the field is something of a miracle given he was out of cricket for 15 months after being injured in a car crash in December 2022. England’s ‘keeper Jamie Smith, 24, is just 10 Tests into a promising international career, averaging just under 43 after displacing Surrey teammate Ben Foakes, regarded as the superior gloveman. With England fielding an inexperienced bowling attack, it will be even more critical than usual for Smith to seize every chance that comes his way. With AFP inputs