Big update on India's squad for Test series against England, BCCI to announce team on this date

"India's squad for Test series against England to be picked in two weeks time," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told Sports Tak.

When asked about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's availability for the series against England, Saikia said:

"That is for selectors to decide".

BCCI has already initiated preparations for the all-important Test series, including identifying a pool of players and arranging logistics for some India A team members. The India A squad is scheduled to participate in three four-day matches prior to the start of the Test series on June 20 and is likely to depart for England around May 25.

Players currently engaged in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 franchise commitments will join the squad at a later date. The Test squad's departure is anticipated in the first week of June, as some players are expected to feature in the second four-day game, which will precede an intra-squad match planned for the second week of June. This arrangement suggests that the Test squad members might travel to England in separate groups during the first week of June, a practice similar to the team's departure for the tour of Australia. For instance, both Dhruv Jurel and KL Rahul, who were part of the Test squad for Australia, were flown in early to participate in the second unofficial Test against Australia A to gain crucial match practice.

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India will embark on an extensive tour of nearly two months, with Test matches scheduled across prominent English cricketing venues including London, Headingley, Birmingham, and Manchester. This series will also be the start of a new World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 cycle for the Indian team. Notably, India have not won a Test series victory in England since 2007. They came close to breaking this streak three years prior, in 2021, but the series ultimately concluded in a 2-2 draw.

The five-match Test series between India and England is scheduled to kick off at the Leeds Cricket Ground in Headingley, with the first match taking place from June 20 to 24. Following a week's interval, the cricketing action will then shift to Birmingham's Edgbaston Cricket Ground, where the second Test will be held from July 2 to 6. Just four days later, the third Test will unfold at the hallowed grounds of Lord's Cricket Ground in the heart of London, from July 10 to July 14. Manchester will then take over hosting duties for the fourth Test at the iconic Old Trafford from July 23 to July 27. The fifth and final encounter of this compelling series is set to be played at The Oval in London, spanning from July 31 to August 4.

Full schedule for India vs England Test series:

1st Test: 20-24 June, 2025 - Headlingley, Leeds
2nd Test: 2-6 July, 2025 - Edgbaston, Birmingham
3rd Test: 10-14 July, 2025 - Lord’s, London
4th Test: 23-27 July, 2025 - Old Trafford, Manchester
5th Test: 31 July-4 August, 2025 - The Oval, London