India’s Test Squad For The England Series – 2025
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the much-anticipated Test squad for the upcoming five-match series against England, scheduled to begin in July 2025. This series marks a major shift in Indian cricket, ushering in a new era with the absence of two of the country’s most iconic players, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have officially retired from Test cricket.
🏀 Leadership Transition: A New Captain at the Helm
In a bold yet strategic move, Shubman Gill has been named the new captain of the Indian Test team. Rishabh Pant, making a remarkable comeback after injury, takes up the role of vice-captain. With both players still in their 20s, this signals a forward-looking approach by the selection committee. Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar explained the rationale: “When guys like Rohit, Kohli, and Ashwin retire, it always leaves big holes. But this is also a big opportunity for the next generation.”🌎 The Strategy Behind the Selection
This squad reflects a transition mindset. The selection panel appears to be focusing on building a team not just for the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle but for the next one too. There’s a clear push toward youth, fitness, and long-term vision. The absence of stalwarts like Kohli (113 Tests) and Rohit (59 Tests) isn’t just about form or fitness—it’s symbolic of a new leadership direction. India now banks on the energy of youth and the calm aggression of Gill and Pant.🌟 New Faces, Fresh Hopes
Several new or recently introduced players feature in the squad:- Sai Sudharsan: A technically sound top-order batter who impressed in domestic cricket and India A tours.
- Dhruv Jurel: A promising wicketkeeper-batter known for his calmness under pressure.
- Nitish Kumar Reddy: An all-rounder who has been making waves in the Ranji Trophy.
- Abhimanyu Easwaran: A consistent performer in the domestic circuit and India A.
🇮🇳 Full India Test Squad
🏏 Full Squad List
-
Batsmen: Shubman Gill (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar ReddyHindustan Times+6icc+6Rajasthan Royals+6
-
Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain), Dhruv JurelMoneycontrol+4NDTVSports.com+4NewsBytes+4
-
All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul ThakurMoneycontrol+4BCCI+4Rajasthan Royals+4
-
Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep YadavWikipedia+2Rajasthan Royals+2BCCI+2
🏕️ Series Details
- Number of Tests: 5
- Dates & Venues:
- 1st Test: July 10–14, 2025 – Lord’s, London
- 2nd Test: July 18–22, 2025 – Old Trafford, Manchester
- 3rd Test: July 30–August 3, 2025 – Headingley, Leeds
- 4th Test: August 7–11, 2025 – The Oval, London
- 5th Test: August 15–19, 2025 – Edgbaston, Birmingham
England Squad: Strong and Settled
England, under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, have named a settled and aggressive squad. With names like Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Mark Wood, and James Anderson, they will be keen to reclaim the Pataudi Trophy on home soil. Stokes remarked, “India’s series will remain tough despite Kohli and Rohit’s Test exit. We cannot afford to take India lightly.”This is part of the ongoing World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle and carries significant weight in determining final standings.
🏛️ Historic Rivalry: India vs England in Tests
India and England share one of the richest rivalries in Test cricket:- First Series: 1932 (India’s debut)
- Most Famous Encounters:
- 2002: India drew the series 1-1 in England with memorable innings from Dravid and Ganguly.
- 2007: India won a Test series in England under Rahul Dravid after 21 years.
- 2021: India led 2-1 before the fifth Test was postponed; later rescheduled and drawn in 2022.
- 2024: England defeated India 3-2 at home, marking a key loss in India’s recent WTC campaign.
⚡ Absence of Legends: What India Will Miss
The retirement of Kohli and Rohit leaves a massive experience vacuum:- Virat Kohli: 8,848 runs, 29 centuries, unmatched intensity.
- Rohit Sharma: Reinvented himself as an elite Test opener.
- Experience in English conditions.
- Big-match temperament.
- Dressing room leadership.
💬 Reactions from the Cricketing World
- Dilip Vengsarkar: “I thought they would retire after the England tour, not before it.”
- Sanjay Manjrekar: “Strange team… be patient with the returns.”
- Gautam Gambhir: “It’s an opportunity for the youth.”
- Ajit Agarkar: Confirmed Kohli communicated his retirement in April.
- Ben Stokes: Warned England not to underestimate India.
📈 Is This the Most Inexperienced Indian Test Team?
Statistically and historically, yes. This could be:- The least experienced team India has sent to England in over two decades.
- The first in decades without any of Kohli, Rohit, Pujara, Rahane, Ashwin, Shami, or Ishant.
📉 By the Numbers
Let’s break it down:
-
No Virat Kohli (113 Tests), no Rohit Sharma (59 Tests), no Ashwin (100+ Tests), no Pujara, Rahane, Ishant Sharma, or Shami.
These players formed the spine of India’s golden Test era (2014–2023) with historic wins in Australia and strong performances in England and South Africa. -
The current 18-member squad has only a handful of players with 30+ Test caps:
-
Jasprit Bumrah (~36)
-
Ravindra Jadeja (~70)
-
Rishabh Pant (~35, returning from injury)
-
KL Rahul (~50, returning from injury)
-
-
Others like Shubman Gill, Jaiswal, Kuldeep Yadav, and Siraj have shown promise but have limited overseas Test experience, especially in England.
-
Several names like Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Reddy, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Dhruv Jurel are making either their debut or have under 5 Tests under their belt.
🤔 How Does It Compare Historically?
India has fielded young squads before, but usually with at least a few seasoned campaigners to guide the ship. For example:
-
In 2011–12 (Australia), even though the team struggled, it had Dravid, Laxman, Tendulkar, Sehwag.
-
In 2020–21 (Australia), India was injury-ravaged and still won the series—with Pujara, Rahane, and Ashwin guiding debutants like Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, and Mohammed Siraj.
This time, India is entering the England series with a young captain, a young core, and without any of its historically proven run-getters in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) conditions.
⚖️ Why It Might Still Work
-
Bold transition: It’s rare, but it may be necessary. This is clearly a long-term vision with WTC cycles and leadership succession in mind.
-
Talent is undeniable: Players like Jaiswal, Gill, and Rishabh Pant have already shown that they belong on the big stage. With Bumrah and Jadeja in the bowling unit, the team isn’t without match-winners.
-
Low expectations, high upside: The lack of pressure might actually allow these players to express themselves freely—something we saw in the 2021 Brisbane Test win.
🗣️ Cricket Fraternity Reacts: End of an Era, Start of a New One
The retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket have sparked wide-ranging reactions across the cricketing world—ranging from nostalgic reflection to cautious optimism about the future.
🎙️ Former Players and Experts Speak
-
Dilip Vengsarkar, former India captain and selector, voiced his surprise:
“I thought they would retire after the England tour, not before it.”
His comment reflects the unexpected nature of the announcement, especially so close to a marquee overseas series. -
Sanjay Manjrekar, known for his analytical perspective, called it a “strange team,” noting:
“India go to England with nothing to lose. It’s a team in transition, so we can only wish it the very best—and yes, be patient when it comes to returns on investment.”
This underlines the need for fans to temper expectations and allow the new core to find its footing. -
Gautam Gambhir, India’s new head coach, acknowledged the challenge while highlighting the opportunity:
“It will be tough without Virat and Rohit, but it’s also a chance for younger players to prove themselves on the world stage.”
🏴☠️ England’s View: Respect Remains
England Test captain Ben Stokes responded to the news diplomatically, saying:
“India’s series will remain tough despite Kohli and Rohit’s exit. We cannot afford to take India lightly.”
Stokes’ comment reiterates the depth of India’s bench strength and the ongoing respect for their competitive edge.
🧠 Selection Clarity
Ajit Agarkar, chairman of selectors, opened up about the process:
“When guys like Rohit, Kohli, and Ashwin retire, it always leaves big holes. But this is also a big opportunity for the next generation.”
He also revealed that Kohli had made his decision earlier in April, signaling a well-thought-out transition.
💬 Fan Reactions: Emotional and Divided
On social media, fans expressed mixed emotions:
-
Some fans mourned the end of an era:
“Watching Indian Tests without Kohli or Rohit feels unreal. Thank you legends for the memories.”
-
Others backed the youth-first policy:
“Time to build a new legacy. Let’s back Shubman and Pant. Every great team goes through a transition.”
🙏 Best Wishes to Team India
This series will be a litmus test for the future of Indian Test cricket. As the baton passes from legends to promising youngsters, fans hope for resilience, character, and perhaps, a few new heroes.Best of luck to Captain Shubman Gill, Vice-Captain Rishabh Pant, and Team India as they embark on this challenging yet exciting new chapter. Jai Hind!