Shami-Sarfaraz Dropped, Arshdeep & Sudarshan Debut: Gautam Gambhir's 5 Bold Moves for England Test Series

The BCCI has announced the Indian squad for the five-match Test series against England starting this June. With this series marking the beginning of the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle, the selection reflects a clear shift in direction. Under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, five major decisions have taken center stage.

This tour comes after the retirement of senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R. Ashwin, and Gambhir’s choices indicate the start of a bold new era for Indian cricket.

🇮🇳 1. Shubman Gill is New Test Captain, Pant Named Vice-Captain

In one of the most anticipated announcements, Shubman Gill has been named the new captain of the Indian Test team. After much internal deliberation, Gambhir pushed for Gill’s leadership role, reportedly convincing the entire selection panel of his long-term potential.

Rishabh Pant, returning from a long injury layoff, has been named vice-captain—a role many expected would go to KL Rahul or Jasprit Bumrah.

🏏 2. Arshdeep Singh & Sai Sudharsan Make Their Test Debuts

With Jasprit Bumrah advised to manage his workload and Mohammed Shami ruled out due to fitness issues, Arshdeep Singh has been included in the Test squad for the first time. His left-arm swing bowling could prove crucial in English conditions.

Likewise, Sai Sudharsan, who has consistently performed in domestic tournaments and IPL, has also earned his maiden Test call-up.

🏆 3. Karun Nair & Shardul Thakur Return on Merit

Emphasizing domestic performance, Karun Nair returns to the Test side after nearly 8 years. He amassed 863 runs in 9 matches in the 2024–25 Ranji season, with 4 centuries and 2 half-centuries. He also impressed in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Shardul Thakur also returns after two years, backed by his impactful all-round display in domestic cricket.

❌ 4. Mohammed Shami Dropped Over Fitness Issues

One of the biggest calls has been the exclusion of Mohammed Shami, a key figure in India’s pace setup. Gambhir reportedly emphasized having bowlers who can bowl long spells in English conditions, a demand Shami currently cannot meet due to ongoing fitness concerns.

❌ 5. Sarfaraz Khan Ignored Again Despite Strong Form

Despite showing promise when given limited opportunities, Sarfaraz Khan has not been included in the squad. His exclusion has stirred debate, especially as India looks to rebuild its batting core for the future.

🔄 India’s Transition Phase Begins

With this squad, it’s evident that Team India is moving toward youth, fitness, and performance-based selections. Gautam Gambhir’s vision reflects a long-term strategy focused on building a new core that can compete globally over the next few years.