India Test squad for England 2025: Shubman Gill named new Test captain; Rishabh Pant to be vice-captain

Young star Shubman Gill on Saturday (May 24) was appointed India's new Test captain ahead of the five-match Test series against England. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was named Gill's deputy (vice-captain). The selectors decision on the team's leadership was on expected lines following the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Young left-hander and Gujarat Titans' teammate of Gill, B Sai Sudharsan has also earned his maiden Test call-up.

The squad for England also features veteran batter Karun Nair, who returns to the national set up up after a gap of seven years. Senior pacer Mohammed Shami was not included in the team and Agarkar cited his fitness as the reason.

"Last year or so we have looked at Shubman (for leadership). We are hopeful he is the guy who is going (to take the team forward). It is a high pressure job but he is a terrific player. We wish him all the best," said chief selector Ajit Agarkar after announcing the squad.

On Shami, he added: "His workload is not where it needs to be. We were hoping he will be available but it is unfortunate. At the moment he is not dully fit. From tour of Australia, Harshit Rana and Sarfaraz Khan have been dropped.

The team has four all-rounders (two pace and two spinners) - Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy. The selectors also went with five fast bowlers and just one specialist spinner (Kuldeep Yadav) in the 18 member squad.