India Test squad announcement live updates: Ajit Agarkar led selection panel faces a stern challenge as Indian Test team looks beyond Ro-Ko era

23rd May, 12:52 pm: Ajit Agarkar led selection panel set to announce the India Test squad for the tour of England on 24th May

According to several reports, the selection committee and the head coach of the Indian cricket team, Gautam Gambhir are in the final round of talks for selecting the Test squad for the India tour of England. The chairman of selectors Mr Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir are set to announce the squad through a press conference most probably on May 24, Saturday. 

Gill set to be the captain

All the reports say that Shubman Gill is set to be announced as the new Test captain and wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant will be his deputy. A shocking report has emerged that veteran pacer Mohammed Shami will not be selected in the squad.

Shami not be included

 According to the reports of Indian Express, the BCCI feels Shami may not be able to bowl 10 bowls in a day let alone in a Test match, therefore the selectors can’t take any chances with Shami. “ Shami is bowling four overs in IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad but the board and selectors don’t know whether he can bowl more than 10 overs in a day. Test matches in England may demand longer spells from the pacers and we can’t take chances.” a BCCI source said.

India’s Bowling Department

As far as India’s bowling department is concerned, India have a great deal of resources especially in the first bowling department. But the recent performance of Mohammed Shami is a bit of concern, especially the way Shami performed in the IPL. Jasprit Bumrah will lead India’s bowling attack but the team management will monitor whether Bumrah will play three Tests or all the five Tests. Along with Bumrah and Shami, there is Siraj and Prasidh Krishna who are performing really well in the IPL. Shardul Thakur is another guy who is set to make a comeback in the Indian Test squad after a long time.

Batsman in contention to replace Kohli and Rohit

Probable India Test squad for the tour of England

India’s selectors will be picking up the Test squad very soon. The Ajit Agarkar led selection committee will have some sort of headache as they need to find out the replacements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. In the Test squad of 15, I would love to bring back Shreyas Iyer in the place of Dhruv Jurel. As there will already be two wicketkeepers in the name of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, there is no need for a third wicketkeeper.

 Shreyas Iyer has discovered himself in this IPL 2025, he is captaining really well and found his mojo back in batting. With a new young captain like Shubman Gill likely to be appointed as the Test captain, Shreyas can guide Gill as a senior pro in the Indian team. In the bowling department, India need to carry two spinners with Jadeja a certainty. As far as the pacers are concerned, Shardul Thakur will most likely make a comeback. 

1. Shubman Gill ©

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal

3. Sai Sudharsan

4. KL Rahul (wk)

5. Shreyas Iyer

6. Rishabh Pant (wk)

7. Karun Nair

8. Nitish Kumar Reddy

9. Ravindra Jadeja

10. Washington Sundar

11. Jasprit Bumrah

12. Mohammed Shami

13. Mohammed Siraj

14. Shardul Thakur

15. Prasidh Krishna

Debut for young rising stars as the selectors set to reward Arshdeep, Kamboj and Co, Easwaran finally to be looked after years of hardwork

Arshdeep and Anshul Kamboj set to be picked

As Shami can’t be picked, selectors are reportedly thinking of picking the left arm pacer Arshdeep Singh as a surprise package. The selectors feel his bowling will suit the English conditions. Also several media reports say CSK bowler Anshul Kamboj is also set to be picked for his maiden series.

Sai and Easwaran to be picked

 As per the PTI, players like Sai Sudarshan, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Arshdeep Singh are set to get selected. And middle order batsman Karun Nair is set for his comeback in the Test squad.

10:56 am, 26th May, A new era begins under Shubman Gill as selection committee names 15 member squad for England Test series

The Indian Test squad for the England tour, announced on May 24, 2025, features a new captain in Shubman Gill, along with a squad that reflects a judicious mix of youth, talent and experience. The selection committee has clearly made some bold calls, including the return of Karun Nair and the inclusion of Arshdeep Singh, Akashdeep while excluding players like Shreyas Iyer and Sarfaraz Khan. 

 Key Observations :

Shubman Gill as Captain:

Gill's appointment signals the arrival of a new era for Indian Test cricket, with the team transitioning away from the formidable Kohli-Rohit-Ashwin era. 

 Welcome Return of Karun Nair: 

Nair's inclusion is noteworthy, as he hasn't played Test cricket for India since 2017, but has a solid performance in the domestic circuit. 

Inclusion of Arshdeep Singh:

Agarkar has explained that Arshdeep, a left-arm seamer, was chosen to add much-needed variation to the bowling attack, particularly with Bumrah's availability uncertain. 

 Omission of Sarfaraz Khan: 

 Sarfaraz Khan not in the squad, who was expected to be part of India's red-ball future, is a bit of a surprising move, especially considering his recent performances. Also Sarfaraz has lost a bit of weight too.

 Bumrah's Workload Management :

Bumrah is expected to play in a limited number of Tests, with the selectors prioritizing his workload and fitness. 

Shreyas Iyer's Exclusion:

The selectors have opted to give opportunities to younger players like Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair, indicating a shift in their long-term planning. 

India’s 15 member squad for the tour of England:

Shubman Gill ©, Rishabh Pant( vc, wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav.