Indian cricket enters a new chapter as Shubman Gill is named the new Test captain following the retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. The BCCI’s selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, announced an 18-member squad on Saturday for the upcoming five-match Test series in England, with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant appointed as vice-captain.
At just 25 years and 258 days old, Gill becomes the fifth-youngest Test captain in India’s history, following the footsteps of legends like Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, and Ravi Shastri. While his leadership experience in first-class cricket is limited to just five matches, his stint as captain of Gujarat Titans in the IPL—where he led the team to the playoffs in just his second season—impressed the selectors.
Full Squad:
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, Kuldeep Yadav.
Youth Meets Experience
The squad blends experience with emerging talent. Karun Nair returns to the Test fold for the first time since 2017, while young Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh receive their maiden Test call-ups. Injuries have ruled out Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Shami—the latter deemed unfit for the rigors of Test match bowling by the medical team.
The opening duties are expected to be handled by Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, with Easwaran as a backup. The No. 3 spot remains open, potentially for Gill himself, though selectors haven’t confirmed his batting position yet.
Bowling Arsenal
India’s pace attack features Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and left-armer Arshdeep Singh. Kuldeep Yadav returns as the primary wrist spinner, supported by all-round options like Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, and debutant Nitish Reddy.
Series Schedule
The high-stakes Test series begins on June 20 at Headingley, followed by matches at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval. With a new captain, fresh faces, and a historic rivalry, all eyes will be on Team India as they embark on a transformative tour of England.
