The Indian men’s cricket team is at a turning point. With the retirement of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket in May 2025, India enters a transitional phase ahead of their five-match series in England beginning June 20. With Shubman Gill appointed as captain and a fresh mix of batters and bowlers rising through the ranks, the narrative shifts from legacy maintenance to strategic reconstruction.
1. A New Leader: Shubman Gill Steps Up
At just 25 years old, Shubman Gill has been named India’s new Test captain—a decision that surprised some but was grounded in a long-term vision by new head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gill was chosen for his cricketing intelligence, calm under pressure, and ability to build strong team relationships. His tenure as Gujarat Titans captain in the IPL showed early leadership promise, and the BCCI sees him as a stable, technically sound batter who can lead in all three formats.
Gill takes the reins with a philosophy focused on player comfort and security. “Players should feel secure, only then will they perform well,” he said in a press conference following his appointment. He emphasized a non-authoritarian style, one where “freedom within accountability” will shape India’s Test culture going forward.
While some critics argue the captaincy came too early, others—including Ricky Ponting—support the decision. Ponting has said Gill is India’s “most complete young batter” and even suggested moving him to No. 4 in the batting lineup to ease the dual pressure of leading and opening.
2. Top-Order Shuffle: New Faces, New Roles
Without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India’s top four is unrecognizable from just a year ago. The likely opening pair is KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Rahul, who has oscillated between keeper, opener, and middle-order batter, scored a commanding 116 for India A against the England Lions earlier this month. That knock reassured selectors and cemented his place in the squad for the England tour. Paired with the aggressive left-hander Jaiswal, India now has an opening duo that combines experience and aggression.
The No. 3 spot—long held by Kohli—is up for grabs. Sai Sudharsan, the 23-year-old who recently made waves in the IPL and domestic red-ball cricket, is tipped to take this role. His temperament and back-foot game make him a good fit for English conditions, where patience and technique are critical.
Shubman Gill, though capable of opening, is expected to move down to No. 4 to give him space to lead without the added pressure of seeing off the new ball.
3. Middle Order in Flux
The middle order will likely feature Rishabh Pant, who is now the vice-captain, Karun Nair, and possibly Shreyas Iyer if he recovers from a minor back strain. Pant’s return from injury earlier this year has been exceptional—he has regained form with both bat and gloves and is being groomed as a long-term leader.
Karun Nair has made a strong case with a double century for India A. Once sidelined after a string of low scores, Nair’s recent red-ball performances have demonstrated improved consistency and mental toughness.
If Iyer is unavailable, backup options include Sarfaraz Khan and Tilak Varma, both of whom have been scoring heavily in domestic cricket and are part of the larger Test setup.
4. Lower Order and All-Round Options
With Ravindra Jadeja aging and Ravichandran Ashwin nearing the end of his career, India is focusing on younger all-rounders. Washington Sundar is being groomed as a like-for-like successor to Ashwin in away tours, while Axar Patel remains a go-to option in spinning conditions.
Shardul Thakur continues to offer batting depth and seam-bowling utility, especially on flat decks. He’s likely to be used in the fourth seamer role depending on pitch conditions.
5. Bowling Attack: Pace Rotation in English Conditions
The core of India’s bowling attack still revolves around Jasprit Bumrah, but there is now a deliberate move to manage his workload across the five Tests. Bumrah has had recurring back issues, and coach Gambhir has confirmed that Bumrah will not play every match.
Backing him are Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar, and Arshdeep Singh. Siraj, who has previously bowled well in England, is expected to share new-ball duties with Bumrah.
Spin duties will likely fall to Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar, with Ashwin possibly retained for one or two Tests depending on the pitch.
India has also invested in a traveling net squad, including Avesh Khan and R Sai Kishore, to maintain bench readiness.
6. World Test Championship Roadmap
India starts its 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with this England series. After that, they host West Indies and South Africa, travel to Sri Lanka and New Zealand, and wrap up the cycle with a home series against Australia.
The goal is clear: win the WTC after two consecutive final losses.
For Gill and Gambhir, this is not just a tour; it is the foundation of a new long-term strategy. Gambhir’s past experience winning IPL titles as a captain and his current no-nonsense coaching style complement Gill’s cool-headed leadership.
7. Leadership Dynamics: Modern Values Meet Traditional Structures
This Indian team will test a new leadership approach. With Gill’s player-first attitude and Gambhir’s result-driven discipline, the culture is expected to move away from alpha leadership and more toward accountability by performance.
Gambhir, known for his aggressive demeanor, has publicly stated that players will not be “babied.” However, he supports Gill’s right to run the dressing room his way. The duo has agreed on a structure where input is gathered but final decisions remain streamlined to avoid internal confusion.
Pant’s inclusion in leadership conversations also signals a progressive shift. He brings a fearless style and emotional intelligence that contrasts with Gill’s measured tactics.
8. Training, Analytics & Mental Coaching
The preparation for this England tour is more rigorous than in previous years. The team spent two weeks in a high-performance camp in Dharamshala and then traveled early to London to acclimatize.
For the first time, the BCCI has formally integrated AI-powered match simulations, using historical data to help batters like Sudharsan and Jaiswal understand English swing patterns and average seaming deviations.
India has also retained sports psychologist Dr. Mugdha Bavare for the entire WTC cycle. This marks the first time the Indian team has a full-time mental coach available during a full overseas series.
9. Commentary from the Legends
Sunil Gavaskar praised Gill’s appointment, noting that “technical stability at the top” is exactly what India needs right now. He also pointed out that the England tour is a “baptism by fire,” which could shape Gill’s leadership for years.
Ravichandran Ashwin, however, has voiced concern about giving Gill both opening and captaincy roles so early in his Test career. “You’re exposing him to twin pressures. That’s a lot for a young player,” he noted on his YouTube channel.
Kapil Dev has called this phase “India’s best chance to rewrite its long-term Test story,” emphasizing that the lack of ego in younger players may result in a tighter, more agile unit.
10. Commercial and Fan Perspective
With Kohli and Rohit no longer in the squad, sponsors and broadcasters have already begun pivoting their messaging. New faces like Jaiswal, Gill, and Pant are now front and center of promotional campaigns.
Fan forums are split. While some mourn the loss of two modern legends, others are excited to see fresh blood take the stage, especially with matchups in challenging overseas conditions.
Ticket sales for the first two Tests have seen a dip compared to 2021, but engagement on digital platforms, especially YouTube and fantasy league apps, has increased—suggesting that India’s cricketing core remains resilient despite generational change.