New Delhi, May 24, 2025— In a significant leadership shift for Indian cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially named Shubman Gill as the new captain of the Indian Test team. The announcement comes ahead of India’s upcoming five-match Test series against England, beginning on June 20.
The 25-year-old Gill replaces Rohit Sharma, who recently announced his retirement from Test cricket after a successful stint as captain. The BCCI's selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, has also appointed wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as vice-captain, marking his return to leadership responsibilities following his recovery from a serious car accident in 2022.
In a press release, the BCCI stated, "Shubman Gill has demonstrated remarkable maturity and consistency across formats. His leadership skills and understanding of the modern game make him an ideal candidate to lead the Test side into the future."
The full squad for the England series includes key players such as Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been left out due to ongoing fitness concerns. Bumrah is expected to be managed carefully throughout the series due to his recent workload in the IPL.
This captaincy change is part of a broader transition period for Indian cricket, as veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma step aside from the longer format. Gill, who has already led India A and shown promise in white-ball cricket, will now have the responsibility of leading the team through one of the most competitive series on the calendar.
India's first Test against England is scheduled to be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham.