The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to unveil the Indian Test squad today in Mumbai for the highly anticipated five-match Test series against England, which begins on June 20, 2025. The series is part of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship and will be held across iconic venues including Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval.
This series marks a new era for Indian Test cricket, as it will be the first bilateral campaign since the retirement of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the longest format earlier this month. A new captain will be named alongside the squad, with Shubman Gill emerging as the frontrunner to lead the team. Rishabh Pant is likely to be named his deputy.
Jasprit Bumrah was also in contention for captaincy but concerns over his recurring injuries have pushed him out of the leadership race. KL Rahul was another candidate; however, his age and potential longevity as a skipper appear to be limiting factors.
With Kohli’s departure, the middle order is undergoing a revamp. Sai Sudharsan, Shreyas Iyer, and Karun Nair are leading contenders to fill the massive void.
- Sai Sudharsan, the 23-year-old Tamil Nadu prodigy, has impressed with his consistency in domestic cricket, amassing 304 runs in just three Ranji Trophy matches this season.
- Shreyas Iyer, looking to complete a red-ball redemption arc, is riding high on a strong Ranji season for Mumbai, where he averaged over 68.
- Karun Nair, who famously scored a triple century in Test cricket, has reignited his international hopes with 863 runs in nine Ranji appearances last season, finishing among the top run-getters.
In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead the pace unit in England. However, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami is unlikely to be part of the squad due to ongoing fitness concerns. A BCCI medical representative recently assessed Shami in Lucknow, but unless a positive update emerges, the selectors are expected to err on the side of caution.
Several promising fast bowlers are in contention to fill Shami’s spot. These include:
- Prasidh Krishna
- Akash Deep
- Arshdeep Singh
- Mukesh Kumar
- Yash Dayal
- Anshul Kamboj
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Harshit Rana
The selection committee will also hold a press conference later today to address the decisions and outline the roadmap for India’s red-ball ambitions under new leadership. With a fresh core and new captain at the helm, the England tour is poised to be a litmus test for India’s next generation of Test cricketers.
