In a major update for Indian cricket, the BCCI officially announced an 18-member squad on Saturday, May 24, for the upcoming five-match Test series against England. This series will kick off India’s journey in the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar revealed the squad at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.
Shubman Gill Takes Over as Test Captain
The most headline-grabbing update is the appointment of Shubman Gill as India’s new Test captain. The 25-year-old becomes the fourth youngest player to lead India in Tests, following the legendary trio of Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, and Ravi Shastri. Gill, who has previously captained India in T20 Internationals and is currently at the helm of Gujarat Titans in the IPL, takes over with the vision of leading a new-look Test squad into a fresh WTC cycle.
Joining him in the leadership group is Rishabh Pant, who has been named the vice-captain for the tour. Pant, having recovered from a prolonged injury layoff, marks his return not just as a wicketkeeper-batter but also as a key leadership figure. The five-match series is set to begin on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, promising an intense contest in English conditions.
Notable Inclusions and Comebacks
The Indian squad has seen some fresh faces and important comebacks, highlighting a balanced mix of youth and experience.
- Karun Nair makes a much-anticipated return to the Test squad. Last seen in whites during the 2017 home series against Australia, Nair forced his way back into the team with a prolific 2024–25 domestic season for Vidarbha.
- Shardul Thakur, a dependable performer in England, returns to bolster both the bowling attack and the lower middle order.
- Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh have received their first Test selections. While Sudharsan has impressed with his consistency and temperament in the domestic circuit and the IPL, Arshdeep’s left-arm pace option gives India more variety in seam-friendly English conditions.
Unfortunately, Sarfaraz Khan, who was part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad but did not get a game, has been left out.
Spin and Pace Departments See Strategic Rebuilds
With Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement, a new era begins for India’s spin department. Ravindra Jadeja will lead the spin attack, supported by Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar. The trio brings a strong blend of variety — left-arm orthodox, wrist spin, and off-spin — which could prove vital in English conditions as pitches wear down.
The pace department, as expected, is headlined by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. They are supported by an exciting group including Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and newcomer Arshdeep Singh. The selectors have opted to rest or omit veterans like Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana, possibly keeping long-term workload and fitness management in mind.
Nitish Kumar Reddy, who made a promising debut in the Australia Test series, also finds a spot, giving India a fast-bowling all-rounder option alongside Thakur — both of whom could play pivotal roles in swinging English conditions.
Full Squad at a Glance
- Captain: Shubman Gill
- Vice-Captain: Rishabh Pant
- Batters: Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Cheteshwar Pujara
- All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar
- Spinners: Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar
- Pacers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh
Building for the Future
The squad clearly reflects the selector’s intention to build a team for the future while maintaining a competitive edge in overseas conditions. With the WTC cycle spanning two years, the England series serves as both a challenge and an opportunity for India to test the depth of its squad, integrate fresh talent, and forge a new identity under Shubman Gill’s leadership.
As the countdown to June 20 begins, fans will eagerly watch how this dynamic new Indian Test side performs in one of the most storied rivalries in world cricket.
