The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, marking a pivotal leadership transition in Indian cricket. Shubman Gill has been appointed the new Test captain, taking over from Rohit Sharma following his retirement from the longest format. Rishabh Pant has been named vice-captain, returning to the squad after recovering from injury.

A New Leadership Era

Gill, 25, steps into the role as India’s 37th Test captain. Known for his composure and classical technique, Gill has steadily grown into a leadership figure, previously captaining the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League. His appointment comes at a time of change, with stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping away from Test duties. Pant, meanwhile, brings his match-winning instincts and energy as both a batter and wicketkeeper, having previously delivered under pressure in overseas conditions.

The BCCI’s selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, has opted for a balanced squad that includes experienced players and promising newcomers. Agarkar explained the rationale behind not appointing Jasprit Bumrah as captain:

“There’s always that extra burden when you are leading and managing 15–16 people, it takes a lot out of you. We’d rather have him bowling as well as he does than putting that extra burden on him.”

Player Strengths and Squad Composition

India’s Test squad for the 2025 tour of England reflects a carefully constructed and balanced unit, designed to perform across varying conditions. The selection showcases depth in all departments, blending experienced campaigners with fresh talent. From a technically sound batting line-up to a versatile bowling attack comprising both pace and spin options, the team is equipped to tackle the challenges of a five-match series. The inclusion of multi-skilled all-rounders and dependable wicketkeepers further strengthens the squad, offering strategic flexibility and resilience for the demanding English conditions:

Shubman Gill (Captain): Top-order batter with technical fluency and strong temperament, well-suited to English conditions.
Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain & Wicketkeeper): A powerful left-handed batter and quick glove man, renowned for his fearless style and crucial overseas performances.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: An attacking opener with a solid technique, showing consistent form in international cricket.
KL Rahul: A seasoned batter with the flexibility to bat across the order and the added option of wicketkeeping.
Sai Sudharsan: Debutant left-hander praised for his composure and clean stroke play at the domestic and IPL levels.
Abhimanyu Easwaran: A traditional Test opener, recognised for his ability to build innings and occupy the crease.
Karun Nair: Middle-order batter known for his historic triple century and capacity to play long innings.
Nitish Kumar Reddy: A seam-bowling all-rounder, contributing with both ball and bat in domestic cricket.
Ravindra Jadeja: Senior all-rounder offering spin control, lower-order batting strength, and world-class fielding.
Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper): Emerging wicketkeeper-batter, known for his solid technique and maturity.
Washington Sundar: A spin-bowling all-rounder, economical with the ball and capable of steady batting contributions.
Shardul Thakur: Seam-bowling all-rounder, frequently provides breakthroughs and scores useful lower-order runs.
Jasprit Bumrah: India’s pace spearhead, exceptional in all phases of the game, particularly effective with reverse swing and yorkers.
Mohammed Siraj: Known for consistent seam movement, stamina, and aggression, valuable on seaming tracks.
Prasidh Krishna: Tall fast bowler, brings bounce and aggression, still adapting to the red-ball format.
Akash Deep: Medium-fast bowler with swing and discipline, a dependable domestic performer.
Arshdeep Singh: Left-arm pace option offering variety, known for his control and emerging red-ball credentials.
Kuldeep Yadav: Left-arm wrist-spinner, adept at turning the ball both ways and breaking partnerships with guile.

Series Schedule and Significance

The series, part of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle, holds importance for both sides in their pursuit of the final. The matches are scheduled as follows:

1st Test: 20–24 June – Headingley, Leeds
2nd Test: 2–6 July – Edgbaston, Birmingham
3rd Test: 10–14 July – Lord’s, London
4th Test: 22–26 July – Old Trafford, Manchester
5th Test: 31 July–4 August – The Oval, London

Selection Reactions

Some exclusions, particularly Sarfaraz Khan and Shreyas Iyer, have led to public debate. Commenting on the selection approach, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar stated:

“Under Gautam Gambhir's stewardship and with Rohit not there anymore, I see a tendency in this management to pre-empt performances of individuals while making selections.”

The upcoming Test series against England marks a defining period for Indian cricket, with the team entering a new phase under Shubman Gill's leadership. The squad reflects a strategic balance of established performers and emerging talent, poised to compete in diverse English conditions. With the World Test Championship points at stake, each match will serve as a critical opportunity for players to prove their consistency and resilience. The inclusion of debutants alongside experienced campaigners highlights the selectors’ long-term vision. As India prepares for this high-profile series, the performances on the field will likely shape the direction of the team’s Test journey in the years ahead.