Shubman Gill overlooked for captaincy as Wasim Jaffer names India’s Test squad for England tour

The Indian Test team is set to start the new cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle with a challenging tour of England. With both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping away from red-ball cricket, the tour will prove to be tough for the youngsters.

Now ahead of the official squad announcement, former India opener and respected domestic stalwart Wasim Jaffer has taken the initiative to name his preferred squad for the five-Test series in England. With an eye on long-term planning and performance in challenging overseas conditions, Jaffer’s picks offer a mix of seasoned campaigners, proven performers, and calculated risks.

Wasim Jaffer reveals his India Test squad for England tour

One of the boldest and most significant calls made by Jaffer is appointing Jasprit Bumrah as the captain of the Indian Test side. Bumrah, widely regarded as one of the world’s most skillful and mentally sharp fast bowlers, has previously led India on a short-term basis. Bumrah’s tactical acumen, calm temperament under pressure, and status as a match-winner across conditions could be a reason behind his appointment as a skipper in Jaffer’s XI.

Supporting him is Shubman Gill, a superstar in a making whose maturity and technical poise have been evident both in India and abroad. As vice-captain, Gill can represent the future of Indian batting and leadership, and his elevation signals confidence in his long-term role as a leader within the group.

Contrasting yet complementary for the wicket-keeper’s slot

For the wicket-keeper’s slot, Jaffer has backed Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel, both of whom bring contrasting yet complementary strengths to the team. Pant, having returned to top-level cricket after his near-fatal accident, has shown signs of regaining his old flair with the bat. His ability to change games with counter-attacking brilliance, especially in conditions where bowlers dominate, makes him an invaluable asset. Behind the stumps, his athleticism and growing maturity make him a reliable choice.

Alongside him, Jurel offers a more compact batting approach and is considered a technically sound wicket-keeper, capable of handling long days behind the stumps in English conditions. His impressive temperament under pressure during his debut series against England at home adds to his case. With these two, India are well covered for both flair and consistency in the wicket-keeping department.

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Strategic inclusions for batting and all-round depth

Jaffer has opted to add Shreyas Iyer, Shardul Thakur, Karun Nair and Mohammed Shami,  all players who missed recent red-ball assignments. Iyer’s inclusion is aimed at strengthening the middle order, which could otherwise look inexperienced after Kohli’s exit. Karun, though absent from the Indian team for years, finds a spot, a move that may raise eyebrows, but one grounded in his ability to bat long and play spin well, which could come into play in the latter part of the tour.

Shardul a known utility player, gives the team a valuable fourth seamer and lower-order batting option. He has repeatedly delivered key breakthroughs and vital runs in overseas Tests, and his versatility could prove crucial in England. Shami, though absent in recent series due to fitness issues, is still a world-class operator with the new ball.

The most debated aspect of Jaffer’s squad is the exclusion of rising star Nitish Kumar Reddy. The young all-rounder was one of the breakout performers during India’s last Test series in Australia, where he impressed with his calmness at the crease and composed strokeplay against high-quality pace. Although Reddy was also named in the India A squad for the England tour, Jaffer’s decision to leave him out may reflect caution over pushing him too early, or a preference for more established players like Thakur and Sundar.

Spinners and pace contenders for the England series

Jaffer has shown strategic foresight in picking strong options across departments. For the top order, Abhimanyu Easwaran could provide stability as the reserve opener. Despite not yet debuting for India, Easwaran has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket and for India A, and remains a patient accumulator, a style suited for England conditions. For the spin department, Kuldeep Yadav offers wrist-spin variety, while Washington Sundar gives control and batting depth, particularly useful on Day 4 or 5 tracks where bounce and drift come into play.

With Ravindra Jadeja as the main spinner, these two provide very different options depending on match conditions. In the pace department, Jaffer believes one among Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna or Akash Deep will be selected. Arshdeep’s left-arm angle and control make him a handy option; Krishna brings steep bounce and pace; while Akash has impressed in India’s recent home series with his consistent line-and-length bowling. Each of them brings a different skill set, giving the selectors multiple combinations to consider.

Also READ: Chris Woakes earns England Lions call-up as ECB announces squad for India A

My India squad for Eng tour:

1. Yashasvi
2. KL
3. Shubman (vc)
4. Iyer/Karun
5. Pant (wk)
6. Jadeja
7. Shardul
8. Kuldeep
9. Shami
10. Bumrah (c)
11. Siraj
12. Easwaran
13. Jurel (wk)
14. Sarfaraz
15. Arshdeep/Prasiddh/Akashdeep
16. Washington

What's yours?#ENGvIND

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) May 22, 2025