Squad for England Series 2025: A New Era Begins
India has announced its 16-man squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, set to commence on June 20, 2025, at Headingley, Leeds. This series marks a significant transition for Indian cricket, with new leadership and several fresh faces in the team.
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### Leadership Changes
With Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket and Virat Kohli's continued absence, the BCCI has appointed 25-year-old Shubman Gill as the new Test captain. Gill, known for his consistency and calm leadership, takes over from Jasprit Bumrah, who has now been named vice-captain. The decision is also aimed at managing Bumrah’s workload and keeping him in prime condition throughout the series.
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### Wicketkeeping and Batting Lineup
* **Rishabh Pant** returns to the squad as the primary wicketkeeper, adding his explosive batting style and experience to the middle order.
* **KL Rahul** is expected to open the batting alongside Shubman Gill.
* **Yashasvi Jaiswal**, who had a breakout series against England in early 2024, continues to hold his place in the top order.
* **Sai Sudharsan** and **Karun Nair** provide experience and composure in the middle order, both returning after notable domestic performances.
* **Rajat Patidar**, coming off an excellent India A series performance, has earned his place in the squad and could make his Test debut.
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### Bowling Attack
* The pace attack features **Jasprit Bumrah**, **Mohammed Siraj**, **Mukesh Kumar**, and **Avesh Khan**, providing a mix of experience and raw pace.
* In the spin department, **Kuldeep Yadav** is the specialist spinner, supported by all-rounders **Ravindra Jadeja** and **Axar Patel**.
* **Mohammed Shami** misses out due to an ankle injury and is not expected to be fit for the start of the series.
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### Emerging Talent
* **Dhruv Jurel**, a 22-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, has earned his first call-up. His inclusion gives the squad added flexibility behind the stumps.
* **Sarfaraz Khan**, after a stellar debut against England in 2024, retains his place and adds muscle to the middle order.
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### Series Outlook
The upcoming Test series is expected to be a stern test for India, especially with the English team coming in with strong form. However, India’s blend of youth and experience, combined with a change in leadership, brings a fresh and dynamic edge. Fans can look forward to an exciting and closely fought series as India begins a new chapter in its Test journey under Shubman Gill's captaincy