BCCI Announces India’s Test Squad for England Tour 2025: Shubman Gill to Lead a New Era

In a significant move signaling a new chapter in Indian cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the 18-member Test squad for the upcoming five-match series against England, scheduled from June 20 to July 31, 2025. This series marks the commencement of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle for India.

Leadership Transition: Shubman Gill Takes the Charge

With the recent retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket, the BCCI has entrusted 25-year-old Shubman Gill with the captaincy. Gill’s appointment reflects a strategic shift towards nurturing young leadership. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has been named vice-captain, solidifying his role as a key figure in the team’s future.

Fresh Faces and Notable Inclusions

The squad features a blend of experienced players and promising newcomers: Sai Sudharsan: The Tamil Nadu batsman earns his maiden Test call-up after impressive performances in domestic cricket. Karun Nair: The middle-order batsman returns to the Test squad after an eight-year hiatus, bringing valuable experience to the lineup. Abhimanyu Easwaran and Nitish Reddy: Both have been rewarded for consistent performances in the India A setup, bolstering the batting options.

Key Omissions and Injury Updates

Several notable players are absent from the squad: Mohammed Shami: The veteran pacer is sidelined due to a recent injury setback, with medical assessments indicating he won’t be fit for the series. Shreyas Iyer and Sarfaraz Khan: Despite strong domestic records, both batsmen have been left out, signaling a focus on integrating fresh talent. Ishan Kishan and Mukesh Kumar: The wicketkeeper-batsman and pacer, respectively, have also been omitted, possibly due to strategic team composition decisions.

Full Squad for the England Tour

Batsmen: Shubman Gill (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy

Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain), Dhruv Jurel

All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur

Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav

Series Schedule

The five-match Test series will be played at the following venues:

• 1. June 20–24: Headingley, Leeds
• 2. July 2–6: Edgbaston, Birmingham
• 3. July 10–14: Lord’s, London
• 4. July 23–27: Old Trafford, Manchester
• 5. July 31–August 4: The Oval, London

This series represents a pivotal moment for Indian cricket as it embarks on a new era under Shubman Gill’s leadership. The blend of seasoned players and emerging talent aims to establish a strong foundation for the future. Fans and analysts alike will be keenly observing how this revamped squad performs in English conditions, traditionally challenging for subcontinental teams.

Source: BCCI Official