India Names Shubman Gill Test Captain for England Tour
| 2025-05-24
Shubman Gill image
India appoints Shubman Gill as new Test captain for England series; Mohammed Shami ruled out, Karun Nair returns, Arshdeep Singh earns maiden call-up.
Shubman Gill to Lead India in Test Series Against England
India has named 25-year-old Shubman Gill as the new Test captain ahead of a five-match series against England, marking a generational shift in leadership following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the longest format earlier this month.
The announcement was made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on 24 May. The series is scheduled to begin on 20 June at Headingley, Leeds, and run through early August.
New Leadership Era Begins
Gill, who previously captained India in a T20I series against Zimbabwe in 2024, will now lead the Test side in one of cricket’s most challenging overseas tours. Rishabh Pant, who returned to the national side earlier this year following a long injury layoff, has been appointed as vice-captain and is also expected to keep wickets.
India’s chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar said Gill’s leadership qualities had been assessed over the past year. “He’s very young, but we’ve seen the improvement. We are hopeful that he’s the right choice,” Agarkar told reporters during a press briefing in Mumbai.
Karun Nair Returns After Seven Years
Among the notable selections is the return of Karun Nair to the Test squad. The 33-year-old, who famously scored a triple century against England in 2016, has been recalled following a strong domestic season and county cricket experience. He last represented India in a Test match in 2017.
“With Virat [Kohli] not there, we felt we were lacking experience in the middle order. Karun has scored heavily and brings that experience,” said Agarkar.
Shami Ruled Out Due to Injury
Senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been left out of the squad following medical advice. He is recovering from a recent setback and was deemed unfit to handle the demands of a five-match Test series.
“He’s had a fresh MRI, and the medical team has advised against his selection,” Agarkar said. “We’d rather plan with players who are fully fit.”
Bumrah Fitness Under Watch
India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who made a return to cricket during the 2025 Indian Premier League, is likely to feature in only part of the series. While Bumrah is fit to play, the selectors are cautious about his workload over five consecutive Tests.
“He may not be available for all five matches,” Agarkar confirmed. “But even if he plays three or four, that will be a big boost.”
Arshdeep Singh Earns First Test Call-Up
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who has been a mainstay in India’s T20 squad, has earned his first Test call-up. His performances in county cricket and red-ball domestic matches were key to his selection. His inclusion adds a left-arm option to India’s pace battery, which is often considered an asset in English conditions.
“He’s a tall bowler, experienced with the new ball, and brings variety to our attack,” said Agarkar.
All-Rounder Depth and Opening Options
The squad includes four all-rounders, including Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar for spin, and Shardul Thakur and Nitish Reddy as pace-bowling options. Reddy impressed during the recent Test series against Australia and retains his place.
India’s opening combination for the England series is yet to be finalised. While KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal opened in Australia, selectors have kept options open with the inclusion of Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Gill himself.
“Gautam Gambhir and Shubman will decide on the final pair once they assess conditions in England,” Agarkar said, referring to the new head coach.
Full Squad for England Series
India’s 18-member squad includes: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain & Wicketkeeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, 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, and Kuldeep Yadav.
Test Series Schedule
The five-match Test series will be played at the following venues:
1st Test: 20–24 June, Headingley, Leeds
2nd Test: 2–6 July, Edgbaston, Birmingham
3rd Test: 10–14 July, Lord’s, London
4th Test: 23–27 July, Old Trafford, Manchester
5th Test: 31 July–4 August, The Oval, London
Context: A Transitional Phase for Indian Cricket
This series marks a significant transition for Indian cricket, with both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping away from Test duties. The leadership baton now passes to a younger generation, led by Shubman Gill, with the support of players like Pant and Bumrah, forming the core of the new-look side.
India’s recent overseas record in Test cricket includes strong performances in Australia but mixed results in England, where swing-friendly conditions have historically tested Indian batters.
The upcoming series is expected to be a stern examination of India's evolving Test setup as they prepare for the next World Test Championship cycle.
India has named 25-year-old Shubman Gill as the new Test captain ahead of a five-match series against England, marking a generational shift in leadership following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the longest format earlier this month.
The announcement was made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on 24 May. The series is scheduled to begin on 20 June at Headingley, Leeds, and run through early August.
New Leadership Era Begins
Gill, who previously captained India in a T20I series against Zimbabwe in 2024, will now lead the Test side in one of cricket’s most challenging overseas tours. Rishabh Pant, who returned to the national side earlier this year following a long injury layoff, has been appointed as vice-captain and is also expected to keep wickets.
India’s chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar said Gill’s leadership qualities had been assessed over the past year. “He’s very young, but we’ve seen the improvement. We are hopeful that he’s the right choice,” Agarkar told reporters during a press briefing in Mumbai.
Karun Nair Returns After Seven Years
Among the notable selections is the return of Karun Nair to the Test squad. The 33-year-old, who famously scored a triple century against England in 2016, has been recalled following a strong domestic season and county cricket experience. He last represented India in a Test match in 2017.
“With Virat [Kohli] not there, we felt we were lacking experience in the middle order. Karun has scored heavily and brings that experience,” said Agarkar.
Shami Ruled Out Due to Injury
Senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been left out of the squad following medical advice. He is recovering from a recent setback and was deemed unfit to handle the demands of a five-match Test series.
“He’s had a fresh MRI, and the medical team has advised against his selection,” Agarkar said. “We’d rather plan with players who are fully fit.”
Bumrah Fitness Under Watch
India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who made a return to cricket during the 2025 Indian Premier League, is likely to feature in only part of the series. While Bumrah is fit to play, the selectors are cautious about his workload over five consecutive Tests.
“He may not be available for all five matches,” Agarkar confirmed. “But even if he plays three or four, that will be a big boost.”
Arshdeep Singh Earns First Test Call-Up
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who has been a mainstay in India’s T20 squad, has earned his first Test call-up. His performances in county cricket and red-ball domestic matches were key to his selection. His inclusion adds a left-arm option to India’s pace battery, which is often considered an asset in English conditions.
“He’s a tall bowler, experienced with the new ball, and brings variety to our attack,” said Agarkar.
All-Rounder Depth and Opening Options
The squad includes four all-rounders, including Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar for spin, and Shardul Thakur and Nitish Reddy as pace-bowling options. Reddy impressed during the recent Test series against Australia and retains his place.
India’s opening combination for the England series is yet to be finalised. While KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal opened in Australia, selectors have kept options open with the inclusion of Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Gill himself.
“Gautam Gambhir and Shubman will decide on the final pair once they assess conditions in England,” Agarkar said, referring to the new head coach.
Full Squad for England Series
India’s 18-member squad includes: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain & Wicketkeeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, 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, and Kuldeep Yadav.
Test Series Schedule
The five-match Test series will be played at the following venues:
1st Test: 20–24 June, Headingley, Leeds
2nd Test: 2–6 July, Edgbaston, Birmingham
3rd Test: 10–14 July, Lord’s, London
4th Test: 23–27 July, Old Trafford, Manchester
5th Test: 31 July–4 August, The Oval, London
Context: A Transitional Phase for Indian Cricket
This series marks a significant transition for Indian cricket, with both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping away from Test duties. The leadership baton now passes to a younger generation, led by Shubman Gill, with the support of players like Pant and Bumrah, forming the core of the new-look side.
India’s recent overseas record in Test cricket includes strong performances in Australia but mixed results in England, where swing-friendly conditions have historically tested Indian batters.
The upcoming series is expected to be a stern examination of India's evolving Test setup as they prepare for the next World Test Championship cycle.
PM Modi Urges Indian States to Align with 'Viksit Bharat 2047' Vision
Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls on Indian states to support the national 'Viksit Bharat 2047' roadmap during the NITI Aayog meeting, amid calls for fiscal autonomy.
|2025-05-24
Tata Motors Demerger to Deliver Long-Term Shareholder Value, Says Chairman
Tata Motors' planned demerger into commercial and passenger vehicle units aims to enhance strategic clarity and shareholder value, says Chairman Chandrasekaran.
|2025-05-24
India–Pakistan Ceasefire Claims: Shashi Tharoor Rejects Trump’s Mediation Assertion
Shashi Tharoor refutes Donald Trump's claims of mediating India–Pakistan ceasefire, asserting no formal process took place. India sends all-party delegation to US.
|2025-05-24
Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on India-Made iPhones Sold in the US
Donald Trump warns Apple of 25% tariff on iPhones made in India, challenging Apple’s global manufacturing shift and ‘Make in India’ efforts.
|2025-05-24
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Stuns at Cannes 2025 with Cultural and Cosmic Couture
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan returns to Cannes 2025 with striking ensembles blending Indian tradition and cosmic themes, drawing global praise and fan nostalgia.
|2025-05-24