(Image source from: Twitter.com/BCCI)
Shubman Gill has been named the 37th Test captain of India, a choice confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India during a senior selection committee meeting held in Mumbai on Saturday, May 24. The selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, convened with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia at the board's headquarters to finalize an 18-member squad for the five-match series against England, commencing on June 20 at Headingley. Rishabh Pant will serve as Gill's vice-captain for the English tour. Notably, players Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh received their first call-ups to the Test team. A significant decision was made as Mohammed Shami was excluded due to fitness concerns, whereas Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were included in the squad. Abhimanyu Easwaran, the captain of India A, who has been accompanying the main squad, has been granted yet another opportunity.
Gill takes over from Rohit Sharma, who announced his retirement from Test cricket in May. Interestingly, Gill was chosen despite Jasprit Bumrah's prior experience of captaining India in three Tests, including two during Rohit’s absence in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar elaborated on the decision, stating, "Choosing a captain is not a decision for just one or two series; it's about the long-term vision. Over the past year, we have observed Shubman's influence in crucial moments, particularly during last year’s series against England, and he has made a significant impact in the dressing room." At 25 years old, Gill has distinguished himself as one of the youngest players to assume this leadership role in recent times. Although he has limited captaincy experience in Test cricket, he previously led India in a five-match T20I series in Zimbabwe in 2024 and has served as the captain of the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League.
"Shubman Gill is a terrific player, and our best wishes are with him."
— BCCI (@BCCI) May 24, 2025
Men’s Selection Committee Chairman Ajit Agarkar on Gill's appointment as #TeamIndia Test captain#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/xD4eKitPym
Gill's experience includes just five first-class matches as captain but he has been acting as vice-captain in both ODIs and T20Is. He held the position of deputy during India’s triumph in the Champions Trophy in the UAE in February 2025. In his Test career, he has participated in 32 matches, accumulating 1,893 runs, which includes five centuries. His promotion to captaincy reflects a progressive choice by the selectors, favoring long-term stability as the team enters a new World Test Championship cycle.
Yet, there are doubts regarding whether this responsibility might be premature for Gill, who is still trying to solidify his place within the Test lineup. So far, he has made 559 runs in 13 matches across SENA countries and the West Indies, averaging a modest 25, with only two half-centuries to his name in 24 innings. Since his memorable 91 in the renowned Brisbane Test in 2021, he has not reached a fifty in any of these regions. Gill now assumes a pivotal leadership role amid a transformational phase for the team, characterized by significant changes in both team personnel and strategy.
Say Hello to #TeamIndia's newest Test Captain @ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/OkBmNZT5M0
— BCCI (@BCCI) May 24, 2025
Since India's inability to secure a place in the final of the 2023-2025 World Test Championship, following successive series losses to New Zealand on home soil and Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, there has been increasing conjecture regarding India's intention to refresh their Test team by introducing younger players. With Shubman Gill at the helm, leading a predominantly youthful team in light of the departures of veteran players such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, supporters will remain optimistic that he can steer India into a new era defined by stability and achievement.
Here is the Test Squad for Test Series with England:
Shubman Gill (captain)
Rishabh Pant (wk) (vice-captain)
Yashasvi Jaiswal
KL Rahul
Sai Siudharsan
Eqaswaran
Karun Nair
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Ravindra Jadeja
Dhruv Jurel (wk)
Washington Sundar
Shardul Thakur
Jasprit Bumrah
MD Siraj
Prasidh Krishna
Akash Deep
Arshdeep Singh
Kuldeep Yadav
