Key Points
- Shubman Gill appointed as India’s new Test captain for the upcoming England tour, with Rishabh Pant as vice-captain.
- Historic transition as India enters post-Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli era in Test cricket.
- 18-member squad announced for England tour starting June 20, 2025, featuring a mix of experienced and emerging players.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul retained as key batsmen, while Jasprit Bumrah leads the pace attack.
- Karun Nair makes a surprising comeback to the Test squad after years in domestic cricket.
New Delhi: In a landmark decision that marks the beginning of a new era in Indian cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Shubman Gill as the country’s new Test captain. The announcement came on Saturday as Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar revealed the 18-member squad for India’s upcoming tour of England, scheduled to begin on June 20, 2025.
Leadership Transition in Indian Cricket
The appointment of the 25-year-old Gill represents a significant generational shift in Indian cricket, coming after the retirement of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket. Rishabh Pant, who has been groomed for leadership roles, will serve as vice-captain, forming a dynamic young leadership duo.
“Shubman has shown exceptional maturity and leadership qualities both on and off the field,” said Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar during the squad announcement. “His tactical acumen and ability to lead from the front make him the ideal choice to take Indian Test cricket forward.”
Squad Composition and Key Selections
The 18-member squad represents a careful balance of experience and youth:
Batting Core:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul are expected to form the opening partnership
- Sai Sudarshan and Abhimanyu Easwaran provide middle-order depth
- Karun Nair’s inclusion marks a remarkable comeback after years of consistent domestic performances
All-rounders and Wicket-keepers:
- Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja offer crucial all-round options
- Dhruv Jurel has been selected as the primary wicket-keeper
- Rishabh Pant adds batting firepower alongside his leadership role
Bowling Attack:
- Jasprit Bumrah leads the pace department, supported by Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna
- Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh provide additional pace options
- Spin duties will be handled by Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav
The England Challenge
India’s tour of England will be their first Test series since the retirements of Rohit and Kohli, making it a crucial test for the new leadership and squad composition. The series will begin on June 20, with England’s challenging conditions expected to test the mettle of Gill’s young team.
The England tour has historically been one of cricket’s toughest assignments, with swinging conditions and experienced home bowlers posing significant challenges. Gill’s leadership will be immediately put to the test as India seeks to build on their recent overseas successes.
What This Means for Indian Cricket
Gill’s appointment signals the BCCI’s confidence in youth and represents a long-term vision for Indian Test cricket. Having already established himself as a reliable batsman across formats, the Punjab-born cricketer now faces the challenge of translating his individual success into team leadership.
The inclusion of players like Sai Sudarshan and the recall of Karun Nair suggests the selectors are looking to build depth while rewarding consistent domestic performances. This approach indicates a merit-based selection policy that could benefit Indian cricket in the long run.
Test team: Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.
