India Test Squad for England Tour 2025: Major Changes Expected as Rohit, Kohli Retire; Shubman Gill Likely to Lead

The upcoming five-match Test series between India and England promises to usher in a new era of Indian cricket. With legendary batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping away from the longest format, fans and pundits alike are eagerly awaiting the announcement of India’s new-look Test squad on May 24, 2025. This series also marks the beginning of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle, adding more significance to the selections.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Retire from Test Cricket

In a shocking turn of events, Indian cricket has been rocked by the retirement of two modern-day greats—Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli—from Test cricket. Rohit, who captained India in recent red-ball series, reportedly informed the BCCI of his decision shortly after the conclusion of the 2023–25 WTC cycle. Kohli followed suit, bringing the curtains down on a glorious Test career that spanned over a decade.

Their exit leaves a massive void in the Indian batting line-up, both in terms of runs and experience. Kohli’s 8,848 runs and Rohit’s composed leadership will be sorely missed, but their departure has also opened the door for a fresh generation of cricketers to step in.

Shubman Gill Set to Become New Test Captain

According to multiple reports, Shubman Gill is the front-runner to take over the mantle of Test captaincy. At just 25, Gill has already proven his mettle in both red and white-ball cricket. He has showcased leadership potential in the IPL and domestic circuit and is seen as someone who can lead India into a new era.

Gill’s appointment is likely to be a long-term strategic move, aimed at building a stable team that can deliver consistent results in future WTC cycles and overseas tours.

New Faces in the Squad: Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh

The upcoming England tour could also see the inclusion of promising youngsters like Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh, both of whom are yet to make their Test debuts. Sai Sudharsan, a technically sound left-handed batter, has impressed selectors with his performances in domestic cricket and India A tours. His temperament and ability to build innings could be an asset in the challenging English conditions.

On the bowling front, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is likely to be included to add variety to India’s seam attack. Arshdeep has proven himself in white-ball formats and shown significant improvement with the red ball in domestic matches. His ability to swing the ball both ways could be particularly effective in English conditions.

The England Challenge: A True Test for India’s New Core

Touring England has always been a tough task for subcontinental teams. The conditions demand high levels of skill, patience, and discipline—especially from batters unfamiliar with the swinging Dukes ball. With a largely young and relatively inexperienced squad, India’s tour of England will be a stern test of their mental and technical abilities.

The series is crucial not just for regaining lost ground after missing out in the previous WTC final, but also for setting the tone for the new WTC cycle. A successful outing could lay the foundation for a solid campaign, while failure could expose cracks in the newly forming Test core.

BCCI’s Selection Meeting on May 24: High Stakes

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to hold the squad selection meeting on May 24. With several key decisions to be made—including appointing a new captain, replacing veteran batters, and rebalancing the squad—the stakes are higher than ever.

Fans will also be keenly watching whether other veterans like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane get another chance, or whether the selectors go all-in on youth. The inclusion of spinners, all-rounders, and backup pacers for the long tour will also be topics of intense scrutiny.

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