In a significant leadership transition, Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new Test captain for India, succeeding Rohit Sharma, who recently retired from the format along with Virat Kohli. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made the announcement on Saturday, May 24, entrusting the 25-year-old with the responsibility of leading the team in the upcoming five-match Test series against England, commencing on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.

Adding to the leadership dynamic, Rishabh Pant has been named as the vice-captain for the tour. Pant's appointment marks a notable comeback after his time away from cricket due to injury. The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, believes that Pant's experience and perspective as a wicketkeeper will be invaluable in supporting Gill's captaincy. Agarkar emphasized that Pant is one of the best Test batters and that his ability to read the game from behind the stumps makes him a suitable deputy.

The decision to appoint Gill as captain reflects the board's vision for the future of Indian Test cricket. At 25, Gill becomes one of the youngest Test captains in Indian history, signaling a new era for the team. The selection committee has been monitoring Gill's progress and leadership qualities. They believe he has the temperament and consistency to lead the team through this transition phase. Gill previously captained India in the T20I format during a series in Zimbabwe in July 2024.

The 18-member squad for the England tour includes a blend of experienced players and fresh talent. Karun Nair makes a comeback to the Test squad after seven years. Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh have earned their maiden Test call-ups. However, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami was deemed unfit and was not included in the squad. Jasprit Bumrah's workload will be carefully managed, and he is unlikely to play all five Tests.

The India Test squad for the England tour comprises Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain & Wicket-keeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav.

The five-match Test series against England is scheduled as follows: 1st Test (June 20-24) at Headingley, Leeds; 2nd Test (July 2-6) at Edgbaston, Birmingham; 3rd Test (July 10-14) at Lord's, London; 4th Test (July 23-27) at Old Trafford, Manchester; and 5th Test (July 31-August 4) at The Oval, London.