In a major change within Indian cricket, 25-year-old Shubman Gill has now been named the Test captain before India plays England in a five-match Test series. Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar announced the news during a press conference at the headquarters of the BCCI. 18 players compose the squad, while Rishabh Pant was named the team’s vice-captain.
It is notable that Karun Nair is back and Sai Sudharsan is getting his first call as both players have done well in state cricket and the IPL. Nair, who has played brilliantly, scored over 850 runs in nine Ranji Trophy matches and nearly 800 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, while Sudharsan has had a strong few months. Bowler Shardul Thakur is back to add depth to India’s attack.
Mohammed Shami will not play in the England tour because the BCCI doctors found him physically unable to take part. The loss of Shami means India’s fast bowling will be led by Jasprit Bumrah. Still, Agarkar made it clear that Bumrah will not play in all five Tests, since his overs in the series will be closely monitored.
The next run of international games will be marked by the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket. After the just-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has retired from international cricket.
India and England will meet for the first time in the tour on June 20 in Headingley, Leeds, with Ben Stokes leading England and Shubman Gill leading India.
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