A confident and rejuvenated Indian cricket team is all set to begin its five-match Test series against England on Friday at Headingley, aiming to break a 22-year-old winless streak at the iconic venue.
The clash marks a historic turning point for Indian cricket, as the team steps into a new era without the leadership and presence of stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin—each of whom bid farewell to the Test format earlier this year.
“This is a new group. We’re missing a few senior players, and yeah, it’s a young team led by a really young captain,” said KL Rahul, one of the few experienced campaigners in the squad, in a video shared by the BCCI.
Taking over the reins is 24-year-old Shubman Gill, India’s youngest-ever Test captain. With expectations high, Gill sees the youthful composition as an opportunity to build a dynamic side for the future. “Everyone is so young, and it will be exciting to mould this team into what we want Indian cricket to be over the next 10-15 years,” said Gill.
The squad, featuring a mix of rising talents and seasoned performers, enters the series with optimism and a hunger to prove their mettle in the absence of former mainstays. Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja summed up the team’s outlook, stating, “Our balance is very good. We will play good cricket.”
The series also holds added significance as it marks India’s opening campaign in the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav called the tour a “massive opportunity” and a potential “big achievement” if India manages to secure a series win on English soil.
Young pacer Arshdeep Singh, earning his maiden Test call-up, embraced the challenge ahead: “They say it’s tough here, but if we seal it off well, it will be fun.” Echoing the excitement was dynamic all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, fresh off his breakout performance in Australia, who said, “I’m super excited to play this England series.”
Seasoned quick Mohammed Siraj called it a “proud feeling” to be part of a group brimming with fresh talent, while IPL 2025 Purple Cap winner Prasidh Krishna shared the team’s upbeat spirit: “If that fun leads to a win here, we’ll be jumping around for sure—maybe even come up with a dance.”
India’s young brigade will be tested on foreign soil under shifting English conditions. As Shardul Thakur aptly noted, “You need to make adjustments to your game here—whether you are batting or bowling.”
India’s 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, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.
As the next chapter of Indian Test cricket begins at Headingley, the stage is set for a bold and fearless new generation to leave its mark.