India’s captain for Test and One-Day Internationals, Rohit Sharma, is looking forward to the national team’s upcoming tour of England, which he views as a significant and demanding challenge following the conclusion of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The Indian team is scheduled to face England in a five-match Test series, beginning on June 20 at Headingley. This tour holds importance for the team, as India will attempt to secure its first Test series win on English soil since 2007.
Speaking about the highly anticipated tour, Rohit expressed optimism during a conversation with former Australian captain Michael Clarke on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast. “Absolutely. The last time we played them, the series ended 2-2,” he recalled, referring to India’s previous Test series against England. Rohit emphasized the importance of player fitness for the upcoming series, adding, “We need some of our guys to be 100% fit. If that happens, we’ll have a great series. I know the kind of cricket they’ve been playing lately — it’ll definitely be a good challenge for us.”
Rohit will likely face significant scrutiny during the tour, particularly because of his underwhelming performance in India’s most recent Test series — the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. In that series, he managed to score only 31 runs over four matches. He did not participate in the opening Test and later withdrew from the fifth and final Test, citing concerns about his own form and his inability to contribute effectively with the bat.
Discussing his absence from that decisive match, Rohit explained that the choice to sit out stemmed from a desire to prioritize the team’s success rather than merely occupying a spot in the playing XI. “I had to be honest with myself — I wasn’t hitting the ball well, and I didn’t want to play just for the sake of it,” he said, highlighting the internal deliberation that led to his decision. Rohit also spoke about the struggles of other players and the opportunity to bring in younger talent, particularly Shubman Gill, who had missed the prior Test.
“Others were struggling too, and we really wanted Gill to play. He’s such a talented player and had missed the previous Test, so we felt he deserved the opportunity,” Rohit explained. Recognizing the need to put the team’s interests above personal ambition, he emphasized the value of honest self-assessment. “I thought, ‘If I’m not in form, there’s no point forcing it.’ I spoke with the coach and the selector who was on tour. They were somewhat in agreement, somewhat not,” he admitted.
Despite differences in opinion with team management, Rohit reiterated that his decision was motivated by the larger objective of helping the team win. “At the end of the day, you try to put the team first, consider what’s needed, and make a call. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. There’s no guarantee a decision will be right — you just go with what feels best for the team,” he said. His comments reveal the difficult choices players and captains must make during high-pressure series and the importance of making team-oriented decisions even when they may be personally challenging.
The tour of England is more than just a bilateral contest; it holds major implications for the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. With both India and England competing for valuable points, the series is set to be a critical part of each team’s campaign to qualify for the WTC final. The high-stakes nature of the competition adds further weight to Rohit’s assessment that the England tour will be a true test of character and ability for the Indian side.
India’s last Test series in England, which ended in a 2-2 draw, remains fresh in memory and serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of the two sides. While England’s playing style has evolved significantly in recent years — especially under the leadership of coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes — India will be eager to prove their credentials away from home, particularly in testing English conditions.
For Rohit Sharma personally, the tour represents a chance for redemption. After a disappointing outing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, critics and fans alike will be watching his performances closely. Leading a young and dynamic side into a challenging overseas series, he will need to balance his responsibilities as a captain with the expectations placed on him as a senior batter.
The importance of fitness, as Rohit mentioned, will be critical. Injuries have historically played a major role in determining the outcome of lengthy Test series, and India’s depth will be tested. Several key players, including fast bowlers and top-order batters, will need to maintain peak condition to help India stay competitive throughout the five matches.
If India manages to field a fully fit squad and capitalize on early momentum, the team could have a real shot at ending its long-standing drought in England. The last time India won a Test series there was under Rahul Dravid’s captaincy in 2007 — a memory that still resonates with Indian cricket fans. Repeating or surpassing that achievement would not only add to Rohit’s legacy as captain but also strengthen India’s position in the World Test Championship standings.
In the lead-up to the tour, much attention will also be on how India manages player workloads, especially after a demanding IPL season. With the IPL set to wrap up shortly before the Test series begins, the Indian management will need to ensure a smooth transition from the fast-paced T20 format to the endurance-based demands of Test cricket.
The scheduling of the series so soon after the IPL could pose a unique challenge. Players will have limited time to adjust to red-ball cricket and the conditions in England, which are starkly different from Indian pitches and the T20 setup. Preparation and acclimatization will therefore play a vital role in determining the outcome of the early Tests.
As Rohit leads the team into one of its most crucial tours in recent years, the expectations are high, but so is the belief within the squad. With a mix of experienced players and emerging talents, India will hope to bring a balanced and competitive side to England. Their performance in the series could set the tone not only for the rest of their WTC campaign but also for the broader future of Indian Test cricket under Rohit’s leadership.
By acknowledging his own shortcomings and choosing to prioritize team performance over personal milestones, Rohit has set an example of responsible leadership. Now, as the team prepares for its next big challenge, all eyes will be on how India fares against a resurgent English side in their own backyard.