The Indian cricket team is gearing up for a major overhaul as they prepare for a 5-match Test series against England, starting June 20. With Rohit Sharma's retirement after a solid 5-6 years of service, the team faces the prospect of significant changes, especially with the rumored departure of Virat Kohli from the Test arena. Reports suggest that Shubman Gill, one of the brightest stars in world cricket, is likely to take over the leadership role for India during this series, marking a new era for the team as they enter the World Test Championship cycle.
Without the leadership and experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the Indian squad will rely heavily on the remaining senior players like Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja, with Mohammed Shami also expected to play a key role, contingent on his fitness. The squad is expected to have a mix of fresh talent and seasoned campaigners.
Here's a look at the possible squad for India in the upcoming England series:
Top-order and Middle-order:
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Shubman Gill
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Yashasvi Jaiswal
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Sai Sudharsan
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KL Rahul
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Rishabh Pant (wk)
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Nitish Kumar Reddy
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Dhruv Jurel (wk)
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Sarfaraz Khan
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Karun Nair
All-rounders and Spin options:
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Ravindra Jadeja (likely the lone spinner)
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Axar Patel
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Washington Sundar
Fast Bowlers:
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Jasprit Bumrah
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Mohammed Siraj
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Mohammed Shami
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Prasidh Krishna
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Harshit Rana
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Akash Deep
KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are expected to open the batting, having developed a solid partnership, especially during the Australia tour. Rahul’s experience in England will also be valuable, with Jaiswal bringing in youthful energy. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant will occupy critical positions in the line-up, providing strength in the middle order.
Youngsters Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, and domestic stalwarts Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair will be competing for spots in the squad, with all of them expected to play key roles in India's A tour of England.
Ravindra Jadeja will likely be India’s primary spinner, with Washington Sundar providing backup options. The fast bowling attack will feature Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna, while Nitish Kumar Reddy might fill in as an all-rounder.
Additionally, key reserves and members of the A tour, such as Arshdeep Singh, Shreyas Iyer, and Abhimanyu Easwaran, are expected to be included in the squad. These changes reflect India's transition as they look forward to building a new leadership and core for the future.
