Headingley, June 20 (V7N) — The much-anticipated five-match Test series between India and England, named the 'Anderson-Tendulkar Series', kicks off today. The first Test will begin at 4 PM Bangladesh time at Headingley, Leeds.

This series marks the beginning of a new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship for both teams. It is also a new era for Indian cricket, with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma having retired from Test cricket. Shubman Gill now leads a youthful Indian side, taking on a formidable English team on their home turf.

Gill is expected to bat at number 4, while vice-captain Rishabh Pant will take up the number 5 position in the batting order. England, confident on home soil, announced their playing XI two days before the opening Test.

Historically, India has struggled in England, winning only 3 out of 19 Test series on English soil. Their last series victory came in 2007.

With fresh faces on both sides and a symbolic series name honoring legends James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar, the cricketing world will be watching closely as this new chapter unfolds.

END/MSS/AJ