NEW DELHI: The BCCI on Saturday announced a new-look Test squad for the upcoming five-match series against England, with 25-year-old Shubman Gill named as the new captain. The tour, which is part of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle, will take place in England between June and August 2025, with matches scheduled at Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Lord’s (London), Old Trafford (Manchester), and The Oval (London).This series marks the beginning of a new chapter for Indian Test cricket following the recent retirements of senior stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.With Rohit stepping away from Test cricket earlier this month, Shubman was widely tipped to take over the leadership role. A consistent performer in all formats and already seen as a long-term prospect, the young opener will now lead the team in one of its most challenging overseas assignments.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been appointed as Gill’s deputy. India have included two wicketkeepers in the squad — Pant and promising youngster Dhruv Jurel.Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah returns to the squad after a back injury that ruled him out of action for nearly three months, including India’s victorious ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.The 18-member squad features three prominent inclusions — Karun Nair, Arshdeep Singh, and Sai Sudharsan — all rewarded for their stellar performances in domestic cricket.This is a maiden call-up for both Sudharsan and Arshdeep.Karun, who famously scored a triple century against England in 2016, makes a comeback after last playing a Test in 2017. The right-hander was prolific in the 2024–25 domestic season, scoring 863 runs in nine Ranji Trophy matches with four centuries, and 779 runs in eight Vijay Hazare Trophy innings, including five centuries.Nair, already part of the India A setup, is expected to play a key role during the England tour.With Mohammed Shami missing out due to injury, the selectors have reinforced the pace unit. The attack will be led by Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, and also features Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Reddy, and Shardul Thakur — offering a mix of experience and youth suited for English conditions.In the spin department, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar have been included as all-round options, while Kuldeep Yadav has been named the lone specialist spinner.Ahead of the main series, India will play two India ‘A’ matches against the England Lions, with the first game scheduled for May 30 at the St. Lawrence Ground in Canterbury.Rohit Sharma officially retired from Test cricket on May 7, bringing down the curtain on an illustrious 11-year career. He played 67 Tests, scoring 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, with 12 centuries and 18 fifties.Virat Kohli, too, bid adieu to the longest format earlier this month. The former India captain leaves behind a legendary legacy in red-ball cricket, having played 123 Tests and scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. He retires as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Tests.FULL SQUAD:Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk/vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.
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