India Squad for 2025 Test Series in England

BCCI’s selection committee on 24 May 2025 officially announced the 18-man India Test squad for the five-match tour of England (20 June – early Aug 2025). Shubman Gill was named captain and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant the vice-captain, succeeding the recently retired Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The full squad, as per the BCCI media release, is:

India’s squad: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav

Each name above is confirmed by the BCCI’s announcement. Gill and Pant’s leadership roles (captain and vice-captain, respectively) are explicitly noted in that release.

Notable Inclusions

The squad features several new faces and comebacks. Uncapped batsman Sai Sudharsan and pacer Arshdeep Singh earned maiden Test call-ups on the back of strong domestic and limited-overs form. Wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel (long a standout at the U19 level) is included as a second keeper. Veteran batsman Karun Nair was recalled after a seven-year absence on the strength of an exceptional domestic season. All-rounder Shardul Thakur, who last played a Test in January 2023, also reclaimed a place. Other inclusions such as young all-rounder Nitish Reddy and fast bowler Akash Deep (both uncapped) further reflect an injection of fresh talent.

Sai Sudharsan – rewarded with his first Test cap after consistent domestic and recent white-ball performances.
Arshdeep Singh – debutant seamer, included for the first time in Tests.
Dhruv Jurel – appointed as another wicketkeeper (second choice behind Pant), marking his Test squad debut.
Karun Nair – veteran batsman making a surprise comeback to Tests after seven years out of the side.
Shardul Thakur – recalls to the Test XI after last playing in early 2023.

These selections were widely noted in the press. For example, Dunya News reported that “uncapped players Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh … receive their first Test call-ups”, and a key news analysis highlighted Karun Nair’s return and Shardul’s comeback as major talking points.

Notable Exclusions and Context

The squad notably omits several big names due to retirement, fitness or selection choices. Newly retired India captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (both announced Test retirements in early May 2025) are, of course, not available. Among players still active, senior pacer Mohammed Shami was ruled unfit for a full five-Test stint, so he was left out. Young batsman Sarfaraz Khan – who had featured in recent Tests – was dropped from the squad (with Karun Nair preferred in the middle order). Similarly, Shreyas Iyer, despite a prolific Ranji Trophy season, was overlooked by the selectors.

• Rohit Sharma – announced his immediate retirement from Test cricket on 7 May 2025 (thus stepping down as captain).
• Virat Kohli – retired from Test cricket on 12 May 2025, leaving a major batting void.
• Mohammed Shami – still working his way back from injury; selectors decided he could not play all five Tests, so he was excluded.
• Sarfaraz Khan – surprisingly left out of the 18-man squad, with media noting the selectors picked Karun Nair “ahead of Sarfaraz”.
• Shreyas Iyer – despite strong domestic form, not chosen for the tour (he was “overlooked” according to reports).

These omissions reflect the transition in India’s Test side. As Reuters noted, Kohli’s retirement came “just days after captain Rohit Sharma ended his red ball career”, forcing a new leadership duo. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar later explained that fitness concerns ruled Shami out of planning for five Tests. (Veteran pacer Ishant Sharma had quietly retired from Tests in May as well, further thinning senior seam options – though he was not in the squad.)

Sources: The squad list and captaincy appointments are drawn from the BCCI’s official announcement. Inclusions/exclusions are confirmed by news reports and media analyses. These sources are up to date as of May 2025.

India’s Tour of England, 2025