India has ushered in a new era in Test cricket with the appointment of Shubman Gill as the new captain for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, beginning June 20. Rishabh Pant has been named vice-captain, marking his official return to leadership duties after a long injury layoff.
The announcement was made following a selection committee meeting in Mumbai, chaired by Ajit Agarkar. This will be India’s first Test series in the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle and comes in the wake of several major retirements, including those of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R Ashwin.
Gill, 25, takes over the reins after Rohit Sharma’s retirement earlier this month, following a dip in form during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Agarkar explained that Jasprit Bumrah, the previous vice-captain, was not considered for the leadership role due to anticipated workload management over the long series.
The squad features fresh faces and notable comebacks. Left-handed batter B Sai Sudharsan and left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh have earned their maiden Test call-ups. Middle-order batter Karun Nair and pace-bowling allrounder Shardul Thakur return to the squad, adding experience and balance.
The batting line-up includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, and the wicketkeeping pair of Pant and Dhruv Jurel. Sudharsan’s inclusion is a reward for his consistent domestic and IPL performances.
Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur and another young player in Nitish Kumar Reddy, add to India’s all-rounder strength. The only specialist spinner is Kuldeep Yadav, and the pace contingent consists of Bumrah, Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna and debutant Arshdeep Singh.
Notably absent is Mohammed Shami, who is still recovering from ankle surgery and has not reached full fitness. Sarfaraz Khan and Harshit Rana, part of the Australia tour, have been dropped, while replacements Tanush Kotian and Devdutt Padikkal also miss out.
The series begins with a four-day warm-up game against India A at Beckenham from June 13 to 16. The Tests will be played at Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval, concluding on August 4.
India, under Gill’s leadership, will seek to start a new WTC cycle under youthful leadership and with a mix of youth and experience.
India Squad for England 2025 Test Series
Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav
India vs England 2025 Test Series Schedule
| Test Match | Day and Date (From) | Day and Date (To) | Time | Venue | ||
| 1st Test | Friday | 20-Jun-25 | Tuesday | 24-Jun-25 | 03.30 PM IST | Headingley, Leeds |
| 2nd Test | Wednesday | 2-Jul-25 | Sunday | 6-Jul-25 | 03.30 PM IST | Edgbaston, Birmingham |
| 3rd Test | Thursday | 10-Jul-25 | Monday | 14-Jul-25 | 03.30 PM IST | Lord’s Cricket Ground, London |
| 4th Test | Wednesday | 23-Jul-25 | Sunday | 27-Jul-25 | 03.30 PM IST | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| 5th Test | Thursday | 31-Jul-25 | Monday | 04-Aug-25 | 03.30 PM IST | Kennington Oval, London |
