KKN Gurugram Desk | In a significant development for Indian cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Shubman Gill as the new Test captain of the Indian men’s cricket team. The announcement was made by Ajit Agarkar, Chairman of Selectors, in a press conference held in Mumbai on Friday.

Gill steps into the leadership shoes following Rohit Sharma’s sudden retirement from Test cricket earlier this month. The decision marks the beginning of a new chapter for Team India as they prepare for a crucial five-match Test series against England, starting June 20, 2025, at Headingley, Leeds.

From Promising Talent to National Leader: The Rise of Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill’s ascent in Indian cricket has been meteoric. From his sensational debut in Australia during the 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy to becoming one of India’s most dependable batters across formats, Gill has consistently shown maturity beyond his years.

Now, at just 25, he takes over the reins of the Indian Test team, becoming one of the youngest full-time Test captains in recent decades.

Why Gill? Inside BCCI’s Decision-Making Process

There were multiple names in contention for the Test captaincy, including:

• Jasprit Bumrah – India’s pace spearhead

• KL Rahul – Experienced top-order batter and former stand-in captain

• Rishabh Pant – Aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman, returning from injury

However, BCCI, in consultation with head coach Rahul Dravid and other selectors, placed its trust in Gill’s vision, temperament, and leadership qualities. Ajit Agarkar, in his statement, emphasized:

“We see Shubman as the long-term leader who represents the future of Indian cricket in the red-ball format. His form, temperament, and cricketing brain make him an ideal candidate.”

Rohit Sharma’s Retirement: The End of an Era

Rohit Sharma, who captained India during multiple home and overseas series, shocked the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from Test cricket via Instagram on May 7, 2025. His decision came just weeks before the England tour.

Rohit finished his Test career with:

• 5,016 runs in 61 Tests

• 15 centuries

• A win percentage of over 60% as captain

His absence leaves a leadership vacuum, one that Shubman Gill now aims to fill.

Kohli Steps Away Too: Double Exit Rocks the Team

In another shocking development, Virat Kohli also communicated his decision to step away from Test cricket. According to Agarkar, Kohli had informed the board of his intentions back in April.

Kohli’s exit further adds to the transitional phase the Indian Test team is entering—two senior-most pillars gone in a span of weeks.

Vice Captain Rishabh Pant Returns

With Shubman Gill as captain, Rishabh Pant returns to the squad as vice-captain, marking his full comeback after a long injury layoff due to a car accident in 2023. Known for his aggressive style and game-changing abilities, Pant’s leadership at the backend could be crucial.

India vs England 2025 Test Series Schedule

India will play five Test matches in England. Here’s the full schedule:

• June 13: India vs India-A (Warm-up) – Beckenham

• June 20: 1st Test – Leeds

• July 2: 2nd Test – Birmingham

• July 10: 3rd Test – Lord’s

• July 23: 4th Test – Manchester

• July 31: 5th Test – The Oval

Selected India Test Squad for England Tour

Here’s the final Test squad announced by the selectors:

Batters:

• Shubman Gill (Captain)

• Yashasvi Jaiswal

• KL Rahul

• Sai Sudharsan

• Abhimanyu Easwaran

• Karun Nair

• Nitish Reddy

Wicketkeepers:

• Rishabh Pant (Vice-captain)

• Dhruv Jurel

All-Rounders:

• Ravindra Jadeja

• Washington Sundar

• Shardul Thakur

Pacers:

• Jasprit Bumrah

• Mohammed Siraj

• Prasidh Krishna

• Arshdeep Singh

• Akash Deep

Spinners:

• Kuldeep Yadav

Major Omissions: Who Missed Out and Why

Several well-performing players have been excluded from the main squad, sparking public debate.

1. Sarfaraz Khan

Despite an impressive domestic season and 371 Test runs in 6 matches with 1 century, Sarfaraz has been included only in the India-A squad.

2. Harshit Rana

The young fast bowler impressed during the Australia tour but was overlooked. He has taken 4 wickets in 2 Tests.

3. Shreyas Iyer

Despite a strong domestic campaign and experience in overseas conditions, Iyer didn’t find a place. With Kohli and Rohit gone, many expected him to anchor the middle order.

4. Ishan Kishan

The attacking wicketkeeper was left out of the main squad and placed in the India-A setup. His exclusion may limit India’s aggressive options.

5. Mukesh Kumar

A promising medium pacer with 7 wickets in 3 Tests, Mukesh’s omission raises questions about selection consistency.

Agarkar on Bumrah’s Availability and Shami’s Injury

When asked about Jasprit Bumrah’s workload, Agarkar commented:

“Bumrah is likely to miss some Tests during the series due to fitness management.”

Regarding Mohammed Shami, the chairman revealed:

“Shami underwent an MRI and is not fully fit for the tour.”

A Transition Underway: Youth Over Experience

With stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping down, the Indian Test team finds itself at the start of a generational shift. The selection of young names like Sai Sudharsan, Akash Deep, and Nitish Reddy indicates BCCI’s strategy of grooming the next generation.

The focus now lies on building a sustainable, long-term red-ball unit capable of competing overseas and continuing India’s quest for Test dominance.

India’s Captaincy Timeline (Past Decade)

Public Reaction: Mixed but Hopeful

The appointment of Shubman Gill has received mixed responses on social media. While many fans have lauded the decision to back youth, others express concern over inexperience in leadership and middle-order depth.

However, there’s broad optimism that this bold move could set the tone for India’s next cricketing era—especially with WTC 2025–2027 cycle beginning soon.

With Shubman Gill leading a young, ambitious Indian Test squad, the upcoming England tour could be a defining moment for Indian cricket. While challenges remain—lack of experience, missing veterans, and a tough English side—this transition offers a unique opportunity.

Will Gill rise as India’s next great leader in red-ball cricket? Or will this be a trial by fire? The answer begins to unfold on June 20 at Headingley.

Stay tuned with KKNLive.com for all the exclusive updates, match reports, expert analysis, and squad news during the India vs England 2025 Test series.