The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the much-awaited squad for the five-match Test series against England, scheduled from June to August 2025. This series not only marks the beginning of India’s World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle but also represents a bold new chapter in Indian red-ball cricket, driven by fresh leadership and renewed domestic promise.
Shubman Gill Takes the Reins: A Generational Shift
One of the most significant highlights is the appointment of Shubman Gill as the new Test captain, officially marking the end of an era dominated by Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Backing him is Rishabh Pant, who returns as vice-captain. Jasprit Bumrah has been left out of the leadership group, most likely due to workload concerns.
Karun Nair’s Redemption Story: An 8-Year Wait Ends
Karun Nair has made a stunning comeback after more than eight years, thanks to a phenomenal domestic season where he scored 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy. His experience and previous triple century against England in 2016 make him a key middle-order option.
Sai Sudharsan’s Dream Test Call-up
Sai Sudharsan earns his maiden Test call-up following an incredible IPL 2025 where he topped the scoring charts with 638 runs, along with impressive domestic numbers. He is expected to fight for a spot in the top order.
Notable Exclusions: Mohammed Shami and Sarfaraz Khan Miss Out
Mohammed Shami has been ruled out due to fitness concerns, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirming, “His workload is not what it needs to be.” Sarfaraz Khan was also not selected despite being in contention.
Likely Batting Order: New Roles and Openings
With Kohli and Rohit retired, India’s batting will likely see Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul opening, Sai Sudharsan or Karun Nair at No. 3, and Shubman Gill possibly batting at No. 4.
Pace Attack and Debut Watch
Jasprit Bumrah leads the pace attack in Shami’s absence. Arshdeep Singh is a strong contender to make his Test debut, potentially offering a valuable left-arm option.
Tour Details and Schedule
The England tour begins on June 20, 2025, in Leeds, and includes five Test matches. It kicks off India's campaign in the World Test Championship 2025–27.
Full Squad
Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan, Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Rishabh Pant (vice-captain), Dhruv Jurel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Shardul Thakur, and Kuldeep Yadav.
A Squad Built on Promise and Purpose
This team signals a calculated transition for Indian Test cricket—rewarding domestic brilliance, managing workloads, and shaping a leadership group built for the future.