Shubman Gill Named India Test Captain for England Tour 2025: Full Squad, Schedule & Key Highlights

In a historic shift for Indian cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Shubman Gill as the 37th Test captain of India for the upcoming five-match India vs England Test Series 2025, starting June 20, 2025. Rishabh Pant has been named the vice-captain, signaling a new leadership era after the retirement of legends Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Let’s break down the full India Test squad, series fixtures, major player inclusions and exclusions, and what this means for India’s WTC 2025-27 journey.

A New Era: Shubman Gill to Lead India in Tests

At just 25 years and 258 days, Shubman Gill becomes India’s fifth-youngest Test captain, following greats like Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and Sachin Tendulkar. Known for his elegance at the crease and calm temperament, Gill has impressed as Gujarat Titans’ IPL captain, guiding them to playoffs in IPL 2025.

Despite limited first-class captaincy experience, the selectors see Gill as a long-term red-ball leader for India.

Rishabh Pant, fresh off a successful IPL comeback and known for his overseas heroics, will serve as the Test vice-captain.

India’s Test Squad for England Tour 2025

India’s Full 18-Member Squad:

• Captain: Shubman Gill
• Vice-Captain (WK): Rishabh Pant
• 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

Notable Inclusions:

• Sai Sudharsan: Earns his maiden Test call-up after top-scoring in IPL 2025.
• Karun Nair: Makes a comeback, likely to fill the void left by Virat Kohli at No. 4.
• Arshdeep Singh: Could debut as the team’s new left-arm swing option in English conditions.
• Shardul Thakur: Returns to strengthen the pace all-rounder department.

Key Omissions:

• Mohammed Shami: Ruled out due to fitness issues and workload management.
• Sarfaraz Khan: Misses out despite strong performances with India A.
• Shreyas Iyer: Not selected, indicating a transition in India’s middle-order plans.

India vs England 2025 Test Series Schedule

This five-match series will launch India’s WTC 2025-27 campaign and will be played across iconic English venues:

What to Expect from Gill-Pant Leadership Duo

• Gill at No. 3: Likely to bat at No. 3, with Jaiswal and Rahul opening.
• Pant’s Overseas Brilliance: His Test centuries in Australia and England make him a key asset.
• Spin & Pace Balance: Jadeja leads spin duties, with Kuldeep and Sundar in support; Bumrah, Siraj, and Arshdeep form the pace trio.
• New Faces: Watch out for Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Reddy, and Akash Deep as emerging stars.

Why India vs England Test Series 2025 is Unmissable

• New Leadership Era Begins: Shubman Gill’s captaincy debut in Tests.
• WTC 2025-27 Stakes: A strong start can be vital for India’s campaign.
• Fresh Talent on Display: Exciting young players like Sai Sudharsan, Arshdeep Singh, and Nitish Reddy enter the Test scene.
• End of an Era: Emotional farewell to Indian stalwarts like Kohli, Rohit, and Ashwin from red-ball cricket.

How to Watch India vs England Test Series 2025

• Live Telecast: Star Sports Network
• Live Streaming: JioHotstar App/Website
• Match Timings: 3:30 PM IST (10:00 AM Local Time)
• Know more at: Cricbuzz

Final Thoughts

Shubman Gill’s promotion to India’s Test captain marks a defining moment for the future of Indian cricket. With a squad packed with promise, a challenging tour in India vs England Test Series will test the new leadership’s mettle and lay the groundwork for WTC 2025-27.

Will this young Indian side script a historic overseas triumph or feel the absence of its senior legends?
Share your predictions in the comments below!

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