The BCCI has announced India’s Test squad for the England tour 2025, marking a fresh era after the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. A new Test captain takes charge, and the hunt for a reliable No. 4 batter begins. With bold selections and a focus on youth, this series promises to shape the future of Indian Test cricket in overseas conditions.
In a landmark announcement that signals the beginning of a new era in Indian cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially revealed the Test squad for the India tour of England 2025. Alongside this, a new Test captain has been appointed—ushering in a fresh chapter for the Men in Blue after the retirement of cricketing greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
This tour will be the first major overseas assignment for the revamped Indian Test team, and the squad selection reflects a bold mix of youth, promise, and calculated risk.
India has a new man at the helm in Test cricket — Shubman Gill will lead the team in the upcoming five-match Test series against England, starting June 20. At 25, Gill becomes the second-youngest Test captain in India's history, behind only the legendary MAK Pataudi.
The decision, which had been in the pipeline for some time, was confirmed after a selection meeting in Mumbai. Ajit Agarkar, chairman of selectors, addressed the media and explained the thinking behind handing Gill the reins. "You discuss every option that's there," Agarkar said. "Over the last year, we've looked at Shubman. We've taken feedback from the dressing room as well. And we're hopeful we've picked the right guy."
This will be Gill’s first major assignment as a Test captain. While he’s led India in five T20Is — all during a Zimbabwe tour last year when many first-choice players were rested — he hasn’t yet captained in the longer formats.
Gill has played 32 Tests since making his debut at the MCG in 2020-21. He has scored 1893 runs at an average of 35.05. His numbers at home are far more impressive — averaging 42.03 — but he’s yet to find consistency abroad, averaging 27.53 in overseas Tests. The England series will be his first full tour there, though he has featured in two WTC finals at The Oval and one rescheduled Test in 2022.
Rishabh Pant has been named vice-captain of the 18-man squad, edging ahead of Jasprit Bumrah, who had previously served as deputy and even captained India in Rohit Sharma’s absence. Bumrah’s omission from a leadership role this time is largely down to managing his workload.
Speaking about Pant’s appointment, Agarkar said, "Pant is one of our better batters in the last couple of years. He will help Gill out with all the experience (he has). At the moment, these two are the guys we feel will take the team forward."
The retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket earlier this year has left Indian fans with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation. For over a decade, the two stalwarts were pillars of India’s batting order and leadership structure.
With both icons stepping away, the Test captaincy was left vacant, sparking widespread speculation. The BCCI has now made its call — appointing Shubman Gill to lead India in red-ball cricket. This decision represents a shift toward grooming a new leadership group to take Indian Test cricket forward.
One of the most talked-about challenges for the Indian selectors was filling Virat Kohli’s iconic No. 4 spot. Historically, this position has been the backbone of India’s batting lineup — and now it’s wide open. Several names are in the mix to fill the big shoes left by Virat Kohli in India’s Test lineup. Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, and Karun Nair are all seen as strong contenders, while youngsters like Dhruv Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy are also in the frame after making strong early impressions in their Test careers.
Nitish truly made heads turn during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he hammered a memorable century in the Melbourne Test. Jurel, on the other hand, showcased his grit with a composed 90 on a challenging turner in Ranchi against England in 2024. But the most likely solution to the 'Kohli Conundrum' could involve Gill shifting down the order to take Kohli’s place, while Sai Sudharsan, who’s been on fire in this IPL and currently holds the Orange Cap, might be rewarded with a chance at No. 3. So, whoever steps up in the demanding conditions of England could go a long way in shaping the future of India’s Test batting lineup.
India’s Test Squad for England Tour 2025 – Full List
The squad sees a blend of emerging stars and experienced campaigners, with selectors focusing on players with solid technique and temperament for English conditions. While some senior names have retained their places, several youngsters have been rewarded for domestic and India A performances.
India Test Squad 2025:
Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wk) (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.
Key inclusions:
Sai Sudharsan — First Test call-up after stellar domestic season.
Arshdeep Singh — Seen as India’s next overseas strike bowler.
Karun Nair — Returns to the Test fold with strong form.
This isn’t just another India-England series. It’s a statement tour — a litmus test for the new leadership, fresh batting lineup, and India’s revamped pace attack. From the swinging conditions of Lord’s to the fiery spells at Old Trafford, England remains the toughest away challenge in Test cricket.
For fans, this is more than just cricket. It’s the start of watching Team India 2.0 — fearless, hungry, and eager to build a legacy beyond the shadows of their predecessors.
What Experts Are Saying
Cricket analysts are calling this transition "the most significant reset in Indian Test cricket since 2014." With Kohli, Ashwin and Rohit gone, a new narrative is unfolding, one that revolves around nurturing leadership and settling a strong, consistent batting order.
1st Test Match 20-24 June 3:30 PM Headingley
2nd Test Match 2-6 July 3:30 PM Edgbaston
3rd Test Match 2-6 July 3:30 PM Lard's
4th Test Match 10-14 July 3:30 PM Old Trafford
5th Test Match 31 Jul-4 Aug 3:30 PM Kennington Oval
Final Word: New Faces, New Leadership, New Dreams
The India tour of England 2025 is not just about winning matches — it’s about building a new identity for Indian Test cricket. With a new captain at the helm, a vacant No. 4 spot up for grabs, and fresh energy flowing through the squad, fans have every reason to be excited.
Also Read: Milestone for Abhishek Sharma Joins Elite Club of 4000 T20 Runs
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