Mumbai, May 25 – In a historic leadership transition, Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new captain of the Indian Test team, with Rishabh Pant named as his deputy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the decision on Saturday following a high-level selection meeting held at its Mumbai headquarters.
The announcement also included the 18-member Indian squad for the upcoming five-Test series against England, scheduled to begin on June 20. This marks the first Test assignment for India following the retirements of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the longest format.
New Era Begins: Youth Leads the Way
Gill’s appointment as skipper signals the dawn of a new era in Indian cricket. The stylish right-hander has been one of the most consistent performers across formats in recent years and now takes charge of the red-ball team at a critical juncture.
Squad Highlights: Nair, Shardul Make Comebacks, Sai Sudharsan Rewarded
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Karun Nair has been recalled following a stellar domestic season, where he amassed 863 runs in 9 Ranji Trophy matches, including 4 centuries. He also notched up 779 runs in 8 Vijay Hazare Trophy innings, helping Vidarbha win the Ranji Trophy and finish second in the limited-overs format.
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Shardul Thakur returns to bolster the seam-bowling all-rounder slot, offering balance to the side in English conditions.
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Sai Sudharsan, who emerged as the highest run-scorer in IPL 2025 with 638 runs, receives his maiden Test call-up. The 23-year-old was already part of the India A squad and is being fast-tracked into the senior setup.
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Devdutt Padikkal, who featured in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad, misses out due to fitness concerns.
Bowling Line-up: Shami Out, Pace Unit Reshuffled
With Mohammed Shami still unavailable, India’s pace attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah, supported by Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh. The spin department features Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar, providing a mix of experience and utility.
Two Wicketkeepers Included
Alongside vice-captain Rishabh Pant, young Dhruv Jurel has also been included as a backup wicketkeeper, offering depth behind the stumps.
India’s 18-Member Squad for England Tour:
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain & Wicketkeeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.