Shubman Gill Named India’s Test Captain for England Tour

May 24, 2025 – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced Shubman Gill as the new Test captain of the Indian men’s cricket team, marking the dawn of a new era in Indian red-ball cricket. The 25-year-old batter succeeds Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom announced their retirements from Test cricket earlier this month. Rishabh Pant has been named vice-captain for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, starting June 20, 2025.

A New Chapter for Indian Cricket

The appointment of Gill, seen as a long-term investment by the BCCI, comes after intense speculation following the retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar, during a press conference, praised Sharma’s leadership but emphasized Gill’s readiness to take on the mantle. “Rohit Sharma has been a stalwart of Indian cricket. We will miss him in Test cricket, but Shubman is a natural leader with a bright future,” Agarkar said.

Gill, who has played 32 Tests and scored 1,893 runs at an average of 35.05 with five centuries, brings a blend of youthful energy and leadership experience. Having captained India in T20Is and led the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Gill has earned accolades for his calm demeanor and tactical acumen. However, his Test record in England, where he averages just 14.66 in three matches, will be a challenge to overcome as he leads the team in the upcoming series.

Squad Announcement and Key Inclusions

The BCCI also unveiled an 18-member squad for the England tour, which includes maiden call-ups for Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh. Notably, Mohammed Shami was left out due to fitness concerns, while Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj retained their spots. The squad reflects a blend of youth and experience, with players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja expected to play pivotal roles.

The full squad is as follows:

• Yashasvi Jaiswal

• KL Rahul

• Sai Sudharsan

• Shubman Gill (c)

• Rishabh Pant (vc, wk)

• Ravindra Jadeja

• Nitish Reddy

• Kuldeep Yadav

• Jasprit Bumrah

• Mohammed Siraj

• Prasidh Krishna

• Dhruv Jurel (wk)

• Washington Sundar

• Arshdeep Singh

• Abhimanyu Easwaran

• Karun Nair

• Mukesh Kumar

• Akash Deep

The Road Ahead

The five-match Test series, part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle, will be played at Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Lord’s (London), Old Trafford (Manchester), and The Oval (London) from June 20 to August 4. This series is a critical opportunity for India to rebuild after the departure of their “Fab Four” era, with Gill at the helm.

Despite some reservations about Gill’s consistency in Tests, his recent performances, including becoming the second-fastest Indian to reach 5,000 T20 runs in the IPL, have bolstered confidence in his ability to lead. Former coach Ravi Shastri defended Gill’s selection, urging critics to focus on his potential: “He has a decade of cricket ahead of him for the country.”

Challenges and Expectations

Gill’s captaincy will be under scrutiny, especially given India’s transitional phase. The absence of Shami and the workload management for Bumrah, who was a contender for captaincy but stepped back, add complexity to Gill’s role. Rishabh Pant’s appointment as vice-captain is seen as a strategic move to balance the leadership group with dynamism and experience.

The series against England is not just another overseas tour; it symbolizes a generational shift for Indian cricket. With Gill and Pant leading the charge, supported by a talented squad, fans are eager to see how this young team navigates the challenges of Test cricket in English conditions.