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International News: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the Indian squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, scheduled to be played on English soil in 2025. In a surprising yet strategic move, young prodigy Shubman Gill has been appointed as the captain for this crucial Test tour. This decision marks a new era as India prepares to take on England with a mix of youth and experience.The BCCI has entrusted the leadership of the Test side to Shubman Gill, who has been impressive with his consistent performances in recent times. Alongside him, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has been appointed as the vice-captain, providing strong support both on and off the field. This pairing aims to bring fresh energy and aggressive leadership to the Indian Test team, which is vital for the challenging conditions expected in England.
One of the biggest surprises in the squad announcement is the exclusion of star middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer. Iyer, who showcased excellent form during IPL 2025 and played a pivotal role in India’s Champions Trophy success, was widely expected to be part of the Test squad. However, the selection committee opted for other players to fill the middle-order slots. Similarly, experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami has also not been included in the squad. This could be seen as an effort to bring in newer faces and manage the pace bowling workload carefully on the demanding English pitches.
The squad boasts a strong bowling lineup, with six pace bowlers selected: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akashdeep Nath, Arshdeep Singh, and Shardul Thakur. These bowlers bring a blend of experience, speed, and swing capabilities essential for success in England’s seaming conditions.The spin department includes three talented spinners: Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav. Jadeja’s versatile skills and vast experience, along with the talents of the younger spinners, strengthen and diversify India’s bowling lineup.
In an interesting development, Karun Nair has made a comeback to the Test squad after an eight-year hiatus. Last seen playing Test cricket for India in 2017, Nair’s return adds experienced batting depth to the middle order. The selectors have also shown faith in young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, all of whom are expected to grow through this challenging tour.Shardul Thakur’s inclusion further strengthens the team’s pace options, given his recent good form and ability to contribute with the bat as well.
The final 18-member Indian squad for the England Test series is as follows:
This squad reflects a clear strategy by the BCCI to build a youthful but balanced team capable of taking on England’s conditions. With Shubman Gill leading the side and a mix of seasoned and emerging players, India will be aiming for a strong performance in the historic five-match Test series in England. Fans and cricket analysts alike will be keenly watching how this new combination fares on foreign soil.
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