The BCCI has officially announced the Indian squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, set to begin next month. This high-stakes series will mark the start of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle and will also signal a fresh era in Indian cricket following the retirement of stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin from Test cricket.
A New Era Begins with a Young-Looking Squad
The selection committee, led by Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar, has named a squad filled with youth and promise. Shubman Gill has been handed the reins of the Test team, becoming the new captain. Rishabh Pant will serve as vice-captain and first-choice wicketkeeper. The selectors appear to be focused on building a team for the future, blending exciting young talent with some experienced names.
Opening Pair and Middle Order Revamp
The likely opening duo will be Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhimanyu Easwaran, both known for their consistency in domestic cricket. In the middle order, Sai Sudarshan and Karun Nair have been given a chance to fill the void left by Virat Kohli. Nair’s inclusion is notable as it marks his return to the national side after an eight-year hiatus, rewarded for his prolific domestic performances.
Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel to Handle Wicketkeeping Duties
Pant, who recently made a successful comeback to cricket, is expected to play a pivotal role both behind the stumps and with the bat. He will be backed up by Dhruv Jurel, who has also earned a spot in the squad as the second wicketkeeper.
Pace Attack Sees New Faces
India’s pace attack for the England series features some fresh faces. Arshdeep Singh has been included in the Test setup for the first time, thanks to his strong performances in limited-overs formats. Shardul Thakur has made a return to the squad as well. Meanwhile, senior pacer Mohammed Shami has not been picked, reportedly due to fitness concerns.
India’s fast bowling options now include Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh—a well-rounded mix of pace and swing for English conditions.
Notable Omissions: Shami and Sarfaraz Khan
The exclusion of Mohammed Shami has raised eyebrows, but according to the selectors, the veteran pacer is still recovering from injury and is not match-fit. Another unexpected omission is Sarfaraz Khan, despite his decent outings earlier this year. His absence from the squad has sparked discussion, especially given his form and fitness preparations for this tour.
Full 18-Member Squad for England Tour
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain & Wicketkeeper)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudarshan
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
- Karun Nair
- Nitish Reddy
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper)
- Washington Sundar
- Shardul Thakur
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Akash Deep
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
Conclusion
With fresh leadership and a renewed focus on youth, Team India is gearing up for a challenging but exciting tour of England. The upcoming Test series will not only test the depth of India’s new-look squad but also shape the early standings in the new World Test Championship cycle.
