Xtra Time Web Desk: Tickets for the first four days of the second Test in the England-India five-match series at Edgbaston, Birmingham, have been completely sold out. This marks a historic milestone, as it's the first time tickets for a non-Ashes Test in England have been fully booked this early.

"Following unprecedented demand, general admission tickets for the first four days of the Men's Test between England and India in 2025 are now sold out," the Edgbaston Stadium announced.

India’s five-Test series in England is set to begin at Headingley, Leeds, on June 20, 2025. The second Test at Edgbaston will start on July 2, followed by matches at Lord's, Manchester, and The Oval. The series will run from June 20 to August 4, marking an exciting summer of cricket between the two cricketing powerhouses.

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Thrilling Rivalry Rekindled 

India and England have shared a fierce rivalry in recent years. During India's 2021 tour, the visitors won two Tests in London to lead the series 2-1. However, the final Test, originally scheduled in Manchester, was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The rescheduled Test was eventually played at Edgbaston in July 2022, where England chased down a record 378-run target, courtesy of a brilliant unbeaten 269-run partnership between Jonny Bairstow (twin centuries) and Joe Root. India, led by Jasprit Bumrah in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, missed a golden opportunity to claim a historic series win on English soil.

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The Road Ahead

India’s upcoming tour of England marks their first Test series in the country since 2022 and signals the beginning of a new World Test Championship cycle. With seasoned players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja nearing the twilight of their careers, their inclusion in the squad will be a key talking point.

The highly anticipated series promises a continuation of the riveting contests between these two cricketing giants.