India vs England first Test: Will it rain at Headingley? What the weather forecast, Leeds pitch report say

Headingley is a ground that gives India as much comfort as it does to the home side England. One of the defining moments of Sourav Ganguly's captaincy came here in 2002 as India registered a rare overseas Test victory. Centuries from Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Ganguly himself took India to a monstrous total that was big enough for them to register an innings victory.

 

That win was an extension of England's jinx against India at the venue, having lost by a huge margin in the previous encounter in 1986. England had won the first three matches in the head-to-head, in 1952, 1959 and 1967, respectively, but that came at a time when India were only an emerging force in international cricket.

 

In this regard, England’s win in 2021 – the most recent encounter between the two teams at Leeds – was significant as it helped the side break their long-standing jinx in Leeds against India.

 

India vs England Headingley Test: Pitch report and weather forecast

 

The surface for the Test match looked very green earlier this week, with the outfield and the surface seemingly inseparable. However, the groundstaff is expected to do a lot of trimming to it before the start of play on June 20. There would still be a decent covering of grass but it is mainly going to be dry underneath. The country has seen a hot summer and it could mean that the surface would settle down gradually as the game progresses. There should be help for the fast bowlers on the first day and the second as well, but batting should get easier as the game progresses.

 

All this, though, would also depend on the overhead conditions as is the case with any venue in England. There is forecast for rain on the second, third and fifth day of the game, although it is expected to be scattered showers. This could mean that the overhead conditions are overcast to a large extent. This could help the pitch to be seamer-friendly for longer periods as the moisture content on the deck won't dry easily. Therefore, it comes down to what is up there instead of what is on the playing surface.

 

Headingley's pace woes for India

 

While they have had an impressive record at the venue in the recent past, Headingley is a place where India's pace bowlers have struggled for control and penetration. Historically, India's fast bowlers have averaged a hefty figure of 36 at the venue, with a deplorable strike-rate of 80, meaning a wicket once in 80 deliveries! The average goes even higher (39.68) with a wicket being taken only every 72 deliveries, approximately.

 

Jasprit Bumrah being at his peak should help India tide over this but he would need support from the other fast bowlers. Importantly, India's batters will need to put on a solid show to ensure that their bowlers aren't overworked. In the 2021 Test, India were rolled over for a paltry 78 on the opening day, a performance that virtually ended the contest on the first day itself.

 

India vs England Headingley Test: Bat first or bowl first - what to do if you win the toss?

 

This could be a tricky affair for both sides. Since January 2010, England have opted to bowl in Headingley, winning and losing two apiece with a draw to boot. They were asked to bowl by the opposition in three other games, and they won all three. In the larger context, Stokes would be happier bowling first, particularly given that India are on the cusp of a batting transition. The other factor being that the hosts like to chase as proven quite a few times during the Stokes-McCullum era.

 

As difficult as it could be batting first, India could be better off doing that if they win the toss. They have opted to bowl eight times since January 2010 in away games and haven't won a single game, losing and drawing four games apiece. Past data doesn't count for a lot, especially when it comes to tosses but Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir will need to have a chat about this regardless. 

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