In a landmark decision for Indian cricket, Shubman Gill has been officially appointed as the new captain of India’s Test team, signaling the dawn of a fresh chapter. The announcement came from Ajit Agarkar, Chairman of Selectors for the BCCI, during the unveiling of the 18-member squad for India’s upcoming five-Test series against England, starting June 20, 2025, at Headingley, Leeds.
Rishabh Pant Named Vice-Captain
Joining Gill in a leadership role is Rishabh Pant, who has been named vice-captain and will also serve as one of the squad’s wicketkeepers. The duo is set to guide a team that blends youth with experience, stepping into the shoes of recent retirees Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin, who have exited the Test arena.
Why Jasprit Bumrah Wasn’t Chosen as Captain
Despite his previous stint as Test captain, Jasprit Bumrah was not considered for the role this time. Agarkar clarified that Bumrah is unlikely to play all five Tests due to workload management. “We wanted someone who can commit to the full series,” Agarkar said.
India’s Test Squad vs England: Key Highlights
Here’s the full squad for India’s Test tour of England:
Squad:
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain, WK)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudharsan (Test debutant)
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
- Karun Nair (returning)
- Nitish Reddy
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Dhruv Jurel (WK)
- Washington Sundar
- Shardul Thakur (returning)
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Akash Deep
- Arshdeep Singh (Test debutant)
- Kuldeep Yadav
Notable exclusions include Mohammed Shami, Sarfaraz Khan, Harshit Rana, and Devdutt Padikkal. Shami was ruled out due to a recent injury setback, and according to Agarkar, “his workload is not where it needs to be for Test cricket.”
Youngest Test Captains of India: Gill Joins Elite List
At 25 years and 258 days, Gill becomes the fifth-youngest player to captain India in Test cricket. He follows:
- Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi (21y 77d)
- Sachin Tendulkar (23y 169d)
- Kapil Dev (24y 48d)
- Ravi Shastri (25y 229d)
Gill’s Leadership Credentials
Although Gill has limited red-ball captaincy experience—with only five first-class matches led, including one Ranji game—he impressed as the captain of Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024, taking the team to the playoffs.
Agarkar praised the selection, saying, “He’s a terrific player and a promising leader. We believe he’s the right person to take Indian Test cricket forward.”
Squad Strategy: Fresh Faces & Tactical Picks
India’s squad shows a strategic shift with:
- Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh earning their maiden Test call-ups.
- Karun Nair making a comeback after a strong domestic season.
- All-round depth with the inclusion of Shardul Thakur, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja.
- Kuldeep Yadav returns as the sole frontline spinner after recovering from injury.
The top order remains flexible, with Jaiswal and Rahul as openers and middle-order options including Sudharsan, Nair, and Easwaran. Backup wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel also finds a place in the squad.
India vs England Test Series 2025 Schedule
- 1st Test – June 20 | Headingley, Leeds
- 2nd Test – June 28 | Edgbaston
- 3rd Test – July 6 | Lord’s
- 4th Test – July 14 | Old Trafford
- 5th Test – July 22 | The Oval
