BCCI names Gill Test capt, heralds new era ahead of England tour

Ushering in a new chapter in Indian Test cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday named 25-year-old Shubman Gill as the new captain of the men’s Test team, following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the longest format.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, making a much-anticipated return after a long injury layoff, has been appointed vice-captain for the upcoming five-Test series in England.

The announcement comes in the wake of back-to-back retirements by modern greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, closing a golden era for Indian cricket and signalling a generational shift in leadership. Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had already bowed out of international cricket earlier this year, and senior pacer Mohammad Shami has been ruled out of the England tour due to injury.

Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar addressed the media, underscoring the importance of continuity and long-term planning. “You don’t appoint captains for just one or two tours — it’s an investment,” Agarkar stated. “Gill has shown maturity and temperament. A five-Test tour of England is one of the toughest assignments, and while it’s a steep learning curve, we believe he has what it takes.”

Gill, seen as the torchbearer of India’s next-gen batting, will lead a squad that blends fresh faces with experienced campaigners such as KL Rahul, Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja. Jasprit Bumrah, who led India to a stunning victory in Australia earlier this year, was not considered for the captaincy due to concerns over workload. “We don’t expect him to feature in all five Tests,” Agarkar clarified. “His fitness will be monitored throughout.”

The selectors also named the full squad for the England tour, which kicks off on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, before moving to Edgbaston (July 2–6), Lord’s (July 10–14), Old Trafford (July 23–27), and The Oval (July 31–August 4).

While the squad includes some expected names, there were a few surprises. Karun Nair, once out of favour, returns on the back of strong domestic performances and valuable county experience. “With Virat unavailable and a younger batting unit, Karun’s experience in English conditions could be vital,” Agarkar said.

However, Sarfaraz Khan’s omission sparked debate, given his prolific domestic form. “Form is important, but continuity isn’t always straightforward,” Agarkar remarked. “International cricket has its own demands. Sometimes a player scores a hundred, but things don’t align — that’s the reality.”

Agarkar also confirmed that Rohit Sharma had communicated his intention to retire from Test cricket as early as April.

“Rohit has given everything to the red-ball format. He felt he could no longer maintain the high standards he set for himself. We respect his decision,” he said. “And with Virat and Ashwin also stepping away, it’s undoubtedly the end of an era.”

Reflecting on the transition, Agarkar said the team was entering “a new cycle” with an eye on the future. “This is a chance to build something lasting. Of course, we’ll miss the presence of legends like Rohit, Virat, Ashwin, and Shami. But it’s also a moment for the next generation to write their own stories.” (UNI)

India squad for England Tests: Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain), 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, Kuldeep Yadav.

Fixtures:

1st Test: June 20–24, Headingley, Leeds

2nd Test: July 2–6, Edgbaston, Birmingham

3rd Test: July 10–14, Lord’s, London

4th Test: July 23–27, Old Trafford, Manchester

5th Test: July 31–August 4, The Oval, London<>