India Test squad vs England 2025 News

India’s playing XI for the first Test against England at Leeds, as predicted by Wasim Jaffer, reflects a transitional phase after the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Shubman Gill leads the team, aiming to improve his SENA record. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal open, with debut options Abhimanyu Easwaran or Sai Sudharsan at No. 3. Karun Nair returns, while Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja strengthen the middle order. Shardul Thakur or Kuldeep Yadav may play at No. 8, with Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj forming the pace attack. Nitish Reddy was surprisingly excluded.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has revealed his predicted playing XI for the 1st Test against England, marking the beginning of a new era in Indian Test cricket after the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill is backed to lead and bat at No.4, while KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are set to open. Rising star Sai Sudharsan is tipped to debut at No.3, with Karun Nair and Rishabh Pant in the middle order. Shastri’s bowling picks include Bumrah, Siraj, Jadeja, and one of Prasidh Krishna or Arshdeep Singh, depending on Leeds' conditions.

Virat Kohli’s sister Bhawna sparked speculation with a cryptic Instagram post after RCB’s IPL 2025 triumph, amid Kohli’s sudden Test retirement and shifting dynamics within the Indian cricket setup.

The BCCI has announced India’s squad for the upcoming Test series against England in 2025, marking the start of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle. Shubman Gill will lead the side with Rishabh Pant as vice-captain.