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The Indian cricket team is gearing up for a significant tour of England in 2025, and the composition of the Test squad is generating considerable interest. With senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having retired from the longest format of the game, the selectors are tasked with identifying and nurturing the next generation of Test cricketers. The upcoming tour presents a valuable opportunity to assess the depth of talent within the Indian domestic circuit and provide exposure to promising youngsters on the international stage. Shubman Gill, the 25-year-old Punjab batter, is widely expected to be named captain of the Indian red-ball side for the five-Test series against England in June-July. Gill, who has previously served as vice-captain to Rohit Sharma in ODIs, is seen as a future leader of the Indian team, and this tour will provide him with a platform to showcase his leadership abilities and tactical acumen. The announcement of the squad is scheduled for Saturday, May 24, when the national selection committee convenes in Mumbai to finalize the team composition. While the squad is expected to largely consist of players who toured Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, there are likely to be a few new faces who have impressed in the domestic circuit. Two names that have been prominently mentioned as potential inclusions in the squad are Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair. Both players have had outstanding performances in the recent domestic season and are likely to be rewarded with berths in the Test squad. Karun Nair, who last played for India in March 2017, has been a consistent run-scorer in the domestic circuit. In the Ranji Trophy, he amassed 863 runs in nine games with four centuries, while in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he scored 779 runs in eight innings with five centuries. Nair's prolific scoring record and his ability to perform under pressure make him a valuable asset to the team. Sai Sudharsan, a 23-year-old left-handed batter from Tamil Nadu, has also been in excellent form in the ongoing IPL season. He is currently the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 638 runs and has impressed with his sound technique and calm temperament. Sudharsan has already been named in the India A side for the second match against England Lions and is widely tipped to be added to the senior squad as well. His successful opening partnership with Shubman Gill in the IPL has further enhanced his credentials. The inclusion of Sudharsan and Nair would provide the Indian batting lineup with much-needed depth and experience. With the absence of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, it is crucial to have players who can step up and perform under pressure. Sudharsan and Nair have both demonstrated their ability to do so in the domestic circuit, and this tour presents them with an opportunity to prove themselves on the international stage.
The composition of the batting order is another area of interest. It is understood that KL Rahul has been informally indicated by head coach Gautam Gambhir that he will be required to bat upfront. If that plan holds, Rahul is expected to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order, with Gill likely to move down to No. 4. This could open up the No. 3 slot for someone like Sudharsan or Nair. The decision to move Gill down the order is an interesting one, as he has been primarily an opener in recent times. However, his versatility and ability to adapt to different batting positions make him a valuable asset to the team. Rahul's experience and temperament make him a suitable candidate to open the innings, while Jaiswal's aggressive approach and ability to score quickly can provide the team with a flying start. The No. 3 position is a crucial one in Test cricket, as it requires a player who can stabilize the innings and build a platform for the middle order. Sudharsan and Nair both have the temperament and technique to excel in this role, and it will be interesting to see who gets the nod. There was some speculation that the selectors should consider Cheteswar Pujara for a place in the squad, given the absence of senior players like Rohit and Kohli. However, the impression is that the selectors and team management are not inclined to look back. Pujara, who has been a stalwart of the Indian Test team for many years, has been struggling for form of late and may not be in the selectors' plans for the future. There may be a scope for Sarfaraz Khan in the squad, but Devdutt Padikkal, who was part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad, is yet to be fully fit. Sarfaraz Khan has been a prolific run-scorer in the domestic circuit and has been knocking on the door of the national team for some time. His aggressive approach and ability to score quickly make him a valuable asset to the team. Padikkal, on the other hand, is a technically sound batter who can provide stability to the batting lineup. However, his fitness concerns may prevent him from being selected for the tour.
The pace bowling attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, who have established themselves as key members of the Indian Test team. Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Harshit Rana are the other pacers in the squad. With Mohammed Shami ruled out due to injury, these young pacers will have an opportunity to showcase their skills and make a name for themselves. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar are the spinners in the squad, and they also offer valuable all-rounder skills. Jadeja is an experienced campaigner who has been a mainstay of the Indian Test team for many years. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable asset to the team. Sundar, on the other hand, is a promising young all-rounder who has impressed with his performances in recent times. He is a technically sound batter and a useful off-spinner. There may also be a place for Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur in the squad. Reddy is a promising young all-rounder who has impressed with his performances in the domestic circuit. Thakur is an experienced campaigner who can contribute with both bat and ball. The two wicketkeepers in the squad will be Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel. Pant is a dynamic wicketkeeper-batter who can change the course of a match with his aggressive approach. Jurel is a technically sound wicketkeeper who has impressed with his performances in the domestic circuit. The lone specialist spinner could be Kuldeep Yadav. Yadav is a wrist-spinner who can provide variety to the bowling attack. Overall, the Indian squad for the tour of England is likely to be a blend of experience and youth. With senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli missing, it is an opportunity for the younger players to step up and make a name for themselves. The tour will be a challenging one, but it will also provide valuable experience for the future.
Source: Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair in contention for place in Test squad