Team India is set to embark on a pivotal five-match Test series against England, beginning June 20 at Headingley in Leeds. The series holds significant importance, not just as India’s first assignment in the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, but also as the beginning of a new chapter in Indian Test cricket.
The squad will be led by 24-year-old Shubman Gill, who takes charge following the sudden retirements of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. While Rohit’s departure from the longest format was expected—especially after opting out of the Sydney Test earlier this year—Kohli’s retirement announcement came as a major surprise to the cricketing world.
Despite stepping away from Test cricket, Kohli appears to remain closely connected to the team’s progress. Reports suggest he recently hosted a meeting at his residence in London, attended by new skipper Shubman Gill, vice-captain Rishabh Pant, and a few other players. The get-together, which took place on a rest day after India’s intra-squad match in Kent, reportedly lasted close to two hours, though the exact nature of the discussions remains undisclosed.
India is now focused on building a strong foundation under Gill’s leadership. The team is expected to arrive in Leeds on Tuesday, where they will resume training under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir had briefly returned to India due to personal reasons but is rejoining the squad ahead of the first Test.
In a notable development, young fast bowler Harshit Rana has been added as the 19th member of the squad. Rana, who was already in the UK as part of the India A team, stayed back after featuring in a single match against the England Lions, where he took one wicket and scored 16 runs.
As India navigates this transition period, fans will be watching closely to see how the next generation steps up. Shubman Gill, now the fifth-youngest player to captain India in Tests, carries not only the expectations of his teammates but also the hopes of millions of Indian cricket supporters
