The Indian Cricket Team is all set for a five-match Test series against England beginning next month. The first Test will start on June 20 at Headingley in Leeds, while the final match is scheduled for the first week of August at Kennington Oval in London.
Kohli and Rohit Retire from Tests — India Enters New Era
With senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from Test cricket, India faces a new challenge. Playing in England’s tough home conditions will be a big test for the new-look squad. Another major decision ahead for the selectors is choosing a new Test captain after Rohit’s exit as skipper.
Shubman Gill Emerges as Front-Runner for Test Captaincy
Shubman Gill, who has been a consistent opener in recent years, is expected to lead the side. Reports suggest that Jasprit Bumrah has opted out of the captaincy role, as he may not feature in all five Tests due to workload management. Bumrah had previously led India in Rohit’s absence.
Arshdeep Singh Likely to Make Test Debut in England
One of the key tasks for selectors is building a strong pace unit to take on England. Jasprit Bumrah will spearhead the attack, but will need strong support. Reports say Arshdeep Singh is likely to be included in the squad.
The 26-year-old left-arm pacer has been a regular in T20Is with 63 matches and 99 wickets at an economy of 8.30. He has also played nine ODIs and was part of the India squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, he is yet to play a Test match.
Siraj and Shami Under the Spotlight
Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami are experienced Test bowlers, but both have question marks over their current form. Siraj struggled in the 2025 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India lost 3-1. Shami last appeared in a Test during the ICC World Test Championship Final in June 2023.
