Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointed Shubman Gill as the new captain of India’s Test team and star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as his deputy ahead of England tour. While announcing India's Test squad for the five-match Test series against England, chief selector Ajit Agarkar clarified the rationale behind picking Pant as India's Test vice-captain.
Shubman Gill was named captain within the 18-member squad announced on Saturday, May 24. This decision to hand the right-handed batter the captaincy was influenced by ongoing concerns regarding pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah's fitness. Agarkar described Gill as the ideal leader to guide the Indian team through a period of transition in Test cricket.
Rishabh Pant's Role as India's Test Vice-Captain
During a press conference, Ajit Agarkar talked about Rishabh Pant's consistent performances and acute game awareness as the primary reasons for his appointment as vice-captain. Agarkar further emphasised that Pant's valuable experience will be instrumental in supporting Shubman Gill and helping the team progress.
"I mean, he's the vice-captain. He's been one of our best batters in Test cricket over the last four or five years—around 40 Tests, I believe. He's always had a great view of the game from behind the stumps as a wicketkeeper, and that experience is invaluable. That's why he's Shubman's deputy right now—he can support him with all the experience he brings. He's an incredible player. We're obviously looking at players who can take the team forward in the coming years,” Agarkar said in the press conference.
Pant has consistently been one of India's top performers in Test cricket since 2020, delivering crucial innings both at home and overseas. The wicketkeeper-batter has accumulated 2,948 runs in 43 Tests, averaging 42.11, including six centuries and five half-centuries. Notably, Pant has showcased his ability to score hundreds in challenging conditions, including England, Australia, and South Africa. His match-winning knock of 89 during India's historic victory at the Gabba in 2021 remains a highlight of his Test career. However, Pant's recent form in IPL 2025 has been underwhelming, with only 151 runs from 12 innings at a low average of 13.72. The left-handed batter will be looking to regain his best form in the longest format during the upcoming five-Test series in England, which begins on June 20.
Talking about the squad, Karun Nair has earned a recall to the national side following his impressive Ranji Trophy campaign for Vidarbha. This marks his return nearly eight years after his last Test appearance in 2017. Abhimanyu Easwaran has also been rewarded for his consistent domestic performances with a spot in the squad. In the pace bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have retained their places, though Mohammed Shami has been omitted due to fitness concerns. The spin attack will feature Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav. Meanwhile, Harshit Rana and Sarfaraz Khan, who were part of India’s recent tour of Australia, have been dropped from the squad. All eyes will now be on the new leadership duo of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant as they steer the Test team forward.
India's Test squad for England tour:
Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk/vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.