India has ushered in a new era in Test cricket by naming top-order batsman Shubman Gill as the captain for the upcoming five-match series in England, starting June 20. The announcement, made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on May 24, marks a significant leadership change following the recent retirements of veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the longest format of the game.
At just 25 years old, Gill assumes the captaincy at a crucial juncture, succeeding Rohit Sharma, who, along with Kohli, bid farewell to Test cricket earlier this month. The back-to-back retirements of the two stalwarts within a span of six days have left a considerable void in the Indian squad, both in terms of experience and leadership.
“Shubman Gill-led Team India are READY for an action-packed Test series,” the BCCI said in a statement announcing the squad and new captain.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has been appointed vice-captain for the England tour, further highlighting the team’s shift toward a younger leadership group.
Known for his elegant stroke play and adaptability across formats, Gill has been in fine form, leading the Gujarat Titans into the playoffs of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. His consistent performance with the bat and growing maturity as a leader appear to have convinced the selectors of his readiness for the top job.
“Obviously, he’s very young but we’ve seen the improvement,” chief selector Ajit Agarkar told reporters during the team announcement in Mumbai.
Agarkar emphasized that the decision was made after extensive consultation and assessment, stating, “We take feedback from a lot of people” and confirming that the selection was a “unanimous decision”.
The chief selector acknowledged the weight of expectations that come with the role, especially amid such a significant transition for Indian cricket. “It’s obviously going to be a high-pressure job. But we’re hopeful that we’ve picked the right guy. I mean, he’s a terrific player,” Agarkar said. “It’s a big job, big transition,” he added, particularly as “two of our big players” have stepped away from the format.
“We were all confident that he is the guy to take us forward,” Agarkar concluded, expressing optimism in Gill’s ability to guide India through this new chapter.
However, India’s squad for the England tour is not without setbacks. One major omission is that of pace spearhead Mohammed Shami, who has been left out of the 18-member squad due to fitness concerns.
“He’s had a little bit of a setback over the last week or so,” Agarkar revealed, adding that recent medical scans have ruled Shami out of contention for the upcoming series.
Jasprit Bumrah has been named in the squad but will not play all five Tests. The team management is closely monitoring his workload as he continues his recovery from a serious back injury that previously threatened his career. Bumrah’s ongoing fitness management is also one of the reasons he was not considered for the captaincy, despite serving as Rohit Sharma’s deputy during India’s last Test series in Australia.
Mohammed Siraj returns to the Test setup after being dropped from India’s ODI squad for the Champions Trophy earlier this year. His inclusion bolsters India’s pace attack, especially in English conditions that traditionally favor seam bowling.
In a notable comeback, batsman Karun Nair has been recalled to the Test squad. Nair, who famously scored an unbeaten 303 against England in Chennai in 2016, is set to return to the five-day format after nearly eight years on the sidelines.
Also earning a place in the squad is Gill’s opening partner at Gujarat Titans, Sai Sudharsan. The left-hander has been in superb form in the IPL, currently leading the batting charts with 638 runs, and his selection reflects the selectors’ preference for in-form players.
Agarkar noted that final decisions about the batting order, including who will open alongside Gill and who will take the number two slot vacated by Rohit and Kohli, will be made by head coach Gautam Gambhir in consultation with the new skipper.
Gill made his Test debut in December 2020 during India’s tour of Australia and has since featured in 32 matches, amassing 1,893 runs at an average of 35.05, including five centuries. Over the past four years, he has solidified his place as a mainstay in both India’s Test and ODI line-ups. Gill also played a pivotal role in India’s triumphant campaign at the 50-over Champions Trophy held in Dubai earlier this year.
The England series will serve as India’s first assignment in the 2025-27 cycle of the World Test Championship. The five Tests are scheduled at iconic venues across England, beginning with the opener at Headingley on June 20.
The second Test is set for Edgbaston starting July 2, followed by the third Test at Lord’s from July 10. The fourth match will be played at Old Trafford from July 23, and the tour concludes with the final Test at The Oval, beginning July 31.
The full 18-member squad for the England tour is as follows: Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (vice-captain and wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), 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, and Arshdeep Singh.
With a blend of youth and experience, India is entering a defining phase in its Test cricket journey. Under the leadership of Shubman Gill and guidance of coach Gautam Gambhir, the team will be keen to make a strong statement in England and begin the new World Test Championship cycle on a high note.