The new look of the India test squad is unveiled. With Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandra Ashwin stepping down, England will be facing a fresh squad under Shubman Gill’s captaincy. Watch the red ball with Karun Nair, Shardul Thakur, Sai Sudarshan, and Arshdeep Singh.
On June 20th, 2025, the India tour to England will start in Leeds and then in Birmingham. The third will be played in the famous Lord’s Cricket Ground. And the fourth and fifth will be held at Old Trafford and Kennington Oval, respectively.
India Test Squad For England
Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc, wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.
Major things to know about the Touring Squad:
1. Nair To Be Back After 8 Years
The right-hand batsman scored three centuries in his third test for India in the year 2017. Now he is all ready to make a comeback after impressive records in the domestics.
As per Ajit Agarkar, Chair of the BCCI’s selection committee, “At the moment, Karun has scored heaps of runs in domestic cricket, has played a bit of Test cricket, and played a bit of county cricket. With Virat not there, we’re lacking a bit of experience. We felt his experience could help.”
Karun will hold a pivotal role in the middle order, as he has done for India previously and also for Vidarbha in recent domestic cricket seasons.
2. Bumrah’s Five-Test Fitness
After being out of the test series against Australia due to injury, Jasprit is all set for the long test format.
Agarkared commented on the on-pacer’s fitness by saying, “I don’t think he is available for all five tests. Again, that is what the physios and the doctors have told us; whether it’s four or three, the workload… Needless to say, he is important, even if he is available for three or four tests.
“We’re just glad that he’s fit; the setback that he had in Australia wasn’t too bad.”
3. “Variety” with Arshdeep
The leading wicket-taker in the T20, Arshdeep, is a major addition to India’s bowling attack. The left-arm seamer is new to the Test match format but has the committee’s backing because of his performance in the County Championship. As per the BCCI’s chairman of the selection committee, Arshdeep’s left arm brings a lot of “variety,” which can become a plus point in the English conditions.
“He’s a quality bowler and has had a taste of county cricket as well. A tall guy who can bowl with the new ball has a body of work in red-ball cricket and recent form in the last couple of years,” as per Agarkar.
4. All-Rounder Quarternity
India has a well-known record of winning the ICC Championship trophy with a quartet. The touring squad to England will have 4 all-rounders. With the mix of two spinners and as many pace bowlers as possible.
Nitish Kumar Reddy, who made his maiden Test series in Australia, will be accompanied by Shardul Thakur, who is back in the Test squad.
“Shardul is an all-rounder; sometimes you need a player like that, depending on team balance. He’s going on the India A tour as well. Nitish Kumar Reddy is an all-rounder at this point; hopefully, his bowling will come along as well,” Agarkar explained.
Meanwhile, Washington Sundar, with Ravindra Jadeja, made it to the spin-all-rounder column. Sir Jadeja has always been the foremost choice by the Indian team during tests; Sundar has the experience of playing red ball outside of India.
5. The Fourth Spot In The Team
In the Indian lineup against England, the fourth number spot will be decided by the coach and the captain. As Agrakar said, I think GG (Gautam Gambhir) and Shubman Gill might take a call on that once they get there.”
Gill and Karun had the potential to stand up for the fourth position in the team, as both are vital. But with Shubman Gill taking up the third place as he is initially opening for the test cricket, it’s more evident that Nair will be landing in the fourth place as always. Also, he is returning to the test after 7 years. Rishabh Pant can be an alternative as well, as he has the record of being successful in the lower middle order and can be explosive because of his counter-attacking technique.
Catch up on all the latest updates on the India A Squad for England Tour.
