India’s Test squad for the upcoming series in England sees Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh earning their maiden call-ups, with Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur making returns. Spearheading the squad is 25-year-old Shubman Gill, appointed captain by the selectors led by Ajit Agarkar on Saturday. Rishabh Pant has been chosen as the vice-captain.
“Karun’s experience was a significant factor,” Agarkar explained, shedding light on the decision to recall Nair and include new faces like Sudharsan and Arshdeep. One major omission was Sarfaraz Khan, who didn’t make the cut for this series. Jasprit Bumrah, though part of the squad, won’t captain due to workload concerns, according to Agarkar.
This marks India’s first Test series post the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R Ashwin. Rohit bowed out after a rather unremarkable season, particularly during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The squad also misses Mohammed Shami, still recovering from ankle surgery last year.
The selectors opted for a versatile squad featuring four all-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Thakur, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Fast bowling duties will be shared among Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and newcomer Arshdeep, while Kuldeep Yadav remains the sole specialist spinner.
The batting line-up is reinforced by Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Abhimanyu Easwaran, alongside Gill, Pant, Sudharsan, and Nair. Backup wicketkeeping responsibilities fall to Dhruv Jurel.
India’s tour begins on June 13 with a preparatory match against India A in Beckenham. The Test series, marking the start of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle, kicks off at Headingley on June 20 and concludes at The Oval by July 31, with Tests at Edgbaston, Lord’s, and Old Trafford in between. This series is a chance for India to reshape its Test future with a blend of youth and experience.
India Test squad for England:
Shubman Gill (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (vc, wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Arshdeep Singh.
