Shubman Gill named India Test captain for England tour; Rishabh Pant returns as vice-captain

BCCI announces 18-member squad for five-match Test series starting June 20, featuring key comebacks and fresh faces for the red-ball challenge in England.

Shubman Gill, newly appointed India Test cricket captain, wearing sunglasses and a white Test jersey with blue accents.

Photo Credit: BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the India men’s squad for the upcoming five-match Test series in England, set to begin on June 20, 2025 at Headingley, Leeds.

Shubman Gill has been named the captain of the 18-member squad, while Rishabh Pant returns as vice-captain and wicketkeeper. The series marks a new leadership era for India in red-ball cricket.

India’s squad for the England Test series

India squad: 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

Full schedule of India’s Tour of England 2025

Match Dates Time (IST) Venue
1st Test June 20–24, 2025 3:30 PM IST Headingley, Leeds
2nd Test July 2–6, 2025 3:30 PM IST Edgbaston, Birmingham
3rd Test July 10–14, 2025 3:30 PM IST Lord’s, London
4th Test July 23–27, 2025 3:30 PM IST Old Trafford, Manchester
5th Test July 31–August 4, 2025 3:30 PM IST Kennington Oval, London

Leadership transition and strategic depth

Gill’s elevation to captaincy marks a significant transition, with the young opener now leading the Test side in one of cricket’s most challenging environments. The squad features a blend of youth and experience, with multiple all-round and bowling options, including Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and emerging talents like Akash Deep and Nitish Reddy.

The inclusion of KL Rahul and Karun Nair provides middle-order depth, while Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran offer promising top-order alternatives. Dual wicketkeeper options in Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel provide flexibility behind the stumps.

The Test series will be a critical part of India’s World Test Championship campaign and offers a strong opportunity for players to stake their claim in the long format ahead of the 2026 home summer.

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