Team India is all set for their highly anticipated Test tour of England, beginning June 20, 2025. This tour marks a new chapter in Indian cricket with Shubman Gill taking over the reins as captain and Rishabh Pant named his deputy.
The team features a mix of fresh faces and experienced campaigners, setting the tone for a new era in the longest format. However, in the process of transition, several players who were part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 have not made the cut for the England tour. From iconic stalwarts to rising youngsters, here’s a look at six Indian cricketers who were part of the BGT squad but are missing from the team traveling to England.
6 Indian players from BGT 2024-25 who missed out on the squad for England Tour
1. Rohit Sharma – End of a glorious chapter
Rohit Sharma was initially expected to lead India on the England tour, but his surprise retirement from international cricket changed the leadership landscape. Having captained India in 24 Tests with 12 wins, Rohit’s calm presence at the top of the order and tactical acumen will be sorely missed. His ability to tackle testing conditions and his past performances in England would have been an asset, especially in swinging conditions where opening batters are tested to the core. India will now look to younger shoulders to fill the void left by the veteran opener.
2. Virat Kohli – India’s Test giant signs off
Soon after Rohit, another legend of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli, announced his retirement from the red-ball format. Kohli, who led India during the iconic 2021-22 England series that ended 2-2, leaves behind a massive legacy in Test cricket. With 9230 runs in 123 Tests, including 30 centuries, Kohli’s absence will be deeply felt, both for his batting stability and his aggressive approach on challenging overseas tours. India’s middle order, which often relied on Kohli’s solidity, will now depend on younger talents to step up.
3. Sarfaraz Khan – Talent awaiting opportunity
Sarfaraz Khan has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket and was picked in the BGT 2025 squad. However, he did not get a single game in that series and has now been excluded from the England tour. In the six Tests he has played, Sarfaraz has scored 371 runs at an average of 37.10, including a century. His non-selection has puzzled many fans, especially considering the challenging middle-order spots in overseas conditions, where India could use a technically sound batter.
4. Devdutt Padikkal – Still on the periphery
Devdutt Padikkal, another promising youngster, found a place in the BGT squad but couldn’t break into the playing XI. Having played only two Tests so far and scoring 90 runs with one half-century, the left-handed batter is still finding his footing at the international level. Though he’s showcased flair in domestic and IPL circuits, the selectors may have preferred more consistent and condition-specific options for the tough England tour.
5. Tanush Kotian – Waiting for the big break
Mumbai all-rounder Tanush Kotian, who was a part of the BGT 2025 squad, remains uncapped at the international level. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable asset, but he’s once again missed out. In English conditions, where seam bowlers and specialist spinners are preferred depending on pitch behavior, Kotian might have been considered surplus to requirements for this particular assignment. Still, his domestic performances suggest that his chance might not be far away.
6. Harshit Rana – Surprising omission from pace attack
Perhaps the most surprising exclusion is that of Harshit Rana. The young pacer impressed in his limited opportunities, having featured in two Tests and picking crucial wickets. While the selectors haven’t publicly cited a reason, it’s assumed that with a strong pool of pacers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh in the mix, Rana was edged out in the pecking order. His pace and bounce could have been useful in English conditions, making his absence notable.
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