India Test squad announcement HIGHLIGHTS, India vs England: Rishabh Pant named Gill's deputy

Mohd Shami is deemed unfit for the England tour and will not be travelling with the team to England. Other than Sarfaraz Khan has also been dropped from the Test side ahead of the tour.

2:05 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: BCCI press conference ends!

That wraps up the press conference, as Ajit Agarkar and Shiv Sunder Das conclude their briefing on the team selection. After addressing the media and answering questions for nearly thirty minutes, the BCCI Media Manager officially brought the session to a close. Both Agarkar and Das provided insight into the squad decisions and the thinking behind key selections, offering clarity on several points of speculation. With their job done, the two selectors exited the press conference room, marking the end of an important and highly anticipated announcement ahead of India’s Test series against England.

2:01 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: Karun Nair gets Test call-up after 7 years!

A special call-up amongst the 18-member squad for the Indian Test team as Karun Nair has been called up for the England tour. An Indian call-up after 7 years for the batter who would be delighted with the outcome.

1:50 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: Sarfaraz Khan dropped!

Despite of being part of the Indian test setup recently, Sarfaraz Khan has been dropped from the Indian Test squad ahead of the England tour. Sarfaraz had been working hard to get his fitness up in the background in order to be in proper shape for any assignment he is called up for. However, a disappointing turnout for the batter.

1:46 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: Jasprit Bumrah not available for all 5 Tests!

Ajit Agarkar has confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah will not feature in all five Tests of the upcoming series against England. The chairman of selectors explained that it remains uncertain whether Bumrah will play three or four matches, as that will depend on how things progress during the series. Agarkar emphasized that managing Bumrah’s workload is a top priority, especially given his injury history. He assured that the team’s physios and support staff will closely monitor his fitness throughout the tour to ensure he remains in the best possible condition for the key games in the series.

1:44 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: Virat made intentions clear in April!

Ajit Agarkar also spoke about Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket, revealing that the former India captain had informed him of his intentions back in April. Kohli had personally reached out to express his desire to step away from the longest format of the game. Agarkar said he fully respected Kohli’s decision, acknowledging that it was a choice the legendary batter had made after careful thought. He added that while it’s a significant moment for Indian cricket, the selectors supported Kohli’s call to move on from Tests, given his immense contributions over the years in the format.

1:43 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: Shami not fit for England tour!

Ajit Agarkar has confirmed that Mohammed Shami was ruled unfit by the BCCI medical team. He stated that the selection committee was keen on including Shami in the squad, but after receiving medical feedback regarding his fitness, they decided against selecting him for the upcoming series.

1:37 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: Gill to lead the side!

Indian test squad for England tour: Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (2nd wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav

1:25 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: Selection meeting over!

The selection meeting is over with the announcement likely to come out anytime now. A lot of anticipation within former players, selectors and the fans in how will the selected lot look like to face the Three Lions in June.

1:20 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: Squad to be revealed soon!

The press conference is expected to begin at 1:30 PM IST as we are less than 10 minutes away from the big reveal of who is going to become the next Indian Test captain ahead of the England Test tour.

1:15 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: All-rounder options for England tour!

Former BCCi chief selector Kiran More had his say on the all-rounder options for the England tour - “You already have all-rounders like Jadeja. I’d also include Washington Sundar—he’s played Test cricket and done well. He’s useful with the bat and can balance the side. With many left-handers around, pace-bowling all-rounders will also be important. Nitesh Reddy could be a good option in that space.”

1:05 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: Saba Karim on India's opening pair!

Former BCCI selector Saba Karim gives hi stake on the Indian opening pair for him - “Before the selectors decide on the squad, they must keep two things in mind: don’t get carried away by recent performances and respect the pecking order — players who have consistently played for India A or have been part of the Test setup. Abhimanyu Easwaran fits that bill. He has a solid domestic record and has done well in SENA countries. I’d go with Easwaran and Jaiswal as the opening pair—one right-hander and one left-hander, with strong technique for English conditions.”

12:59 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: BCCI meeting begins!

The BCCI meeting has started with the BCCi chief selector Ajit Agarkar and other selectors finalising the squad for the big announcement that will be done in the next half an hour.

12:50 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: Who will get to fill the big shoes of Virat Kohli?

With Virat Kohli's retirement from Test cricket, a massive void has opened up in India’s batting order—who will take on the iconic No. 4 role? The position, once held by legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Kohli himself, is now up for grabs, and the cricketing world waits with bated breath to see who will be entrusted with this monumental responsibility.

Will the selectors back the promising Shubman Gill, who has shown maturity beyond his years? Or will they take a bold step and hand the spot to Sarfaraz Khan, whose domestic form has been impossible to ignore? Could a comeback be on the cards for Karun Nair, who has quietly piled on the runs in domestic cricket? Or might the ever-reliable KL Rahul be asked to bring his experience to the middle order?

As we edge closer to the official squad announcement, the anticipation is reaching fever pitch. With just an hour left before Ajit Agarkar steps into the press conference room, fans and experts alike are eagerly waiting for answers. The next chapter of Indian Test cricket is about to be written—and it all begins with today’s announcement.

12:40 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: How will India's pace battery look like?

Jasprit Bumrah is expected to lead India’s pace attack in the upcoming Test series against England, but there are lingering concerns about his ability to endure the physical demands of a five-match series. His recent injury history has prompted the selectors to be cautious with his workload.

Mohammed Shami is also unlikely to feature, as his ongoing fitness issues and limited recovery time make his availability uncertain. In his absence, Mohammed Siraj is set to play a key role as the second frontline seamer.

If the selectors opt for five fast bowlers in the squad, the remaining spots could be contested by Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh—all of whom are yet to make their Test debuts. Among them, Arshdeep may face competition from Khaleel Ahmed for the left-arm seamer’s role, giving the team some variety in attack.

Interestingly, the Test squad announcement will come just a week ahead of the India A tour to England, which could provide additional backup options in case of last-minute changes or injuries.

12:30 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: Former BCCI chief selector's pick for captaincy!

Former BCCi chief selector Kiran More wants KL Rahul to lead the side in England in the red ball series. “I would go with KL Rahul, he’s an experienced campaigner. I don’t want to put too much pressure on Shubman Gill. He hasn’t done enough in Test cricket yet. He hasn’t played much domestic cricket either, so there’s a lot of learning still to do in the longer format. Let him grow, maybe he can be vice-captain for a year or two. For now, KL Rahul is the right choice. He has the experience, temperament, and communication skills needed to lead.” Kiran said.

12:20 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: Almost time for the PC!

We are less than 10 minutes away from the alotted time for the PC that is 12:30 PM IST as the squad announcement is getting closer and closer with time. Ajit Agarkar has arrived at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai as well.

12:10 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: Rishabh Pant's backup in focus!

Rishabh Pant is set to continue as India's first-choice wicketkeeper for the upcoming Test series against England. Having made a successful return to international cricket, Pant remains a vital figure behind the stumps and in the middle order. In the previous Test series against Australia, Dhruv Jurel was named as his backup, and that arrangement is likely to continue.

Jurel, a promising wicketkeeper-batsman, has been included in the India A squad for the upcoming two-match series against the England Lions, where he will serve as vice-captain to Abhimanyu Easwaran. His recent performances and leadership responsibilities at the India A level indicate the selectors' trust in his abilities.

Given his steady progress and prior inclusion in the Test squad, Jurel is expected to act as Pant’s deputy in the five-match series in England. His presence ensures the team has a capable and ready replacement behind the stumps if needed during the long tour.

12:00 PM

India Test squad announcement live updates: How will the spin contingent look like?

With Ravichandran Ashwin now retired, Ravindra Jadeja is expected to take on the role of India's lead spinner. A key decision for the selectors will be whether to include two or three spinners in the playing 11, especially considering the seam-friendly conditions in England. If the team opts for just two spin options, Washington Sundar may be preferred over Kuldeep Yadav. Sundar’s ability to contribute with the bat and bowl economical spells makes him a strong contender. Despite Kuldeep’s impressive performances across formats, team balance and pitch conditions could influence the final call on the spin combination.

 

11:50 AM

India Test squad announcement live updates: A special call-up on the cards?

Karun Nair, known for his consistent performances in domestic cricket, is likely to earn a place in India’s squad for the upcoming Test series against England. His strong form with the bat has not gone unnoticed by the selectors, who are expected to reward the experienced right-hander with a well-deserved recall to the national side.

 

Nair was recently named in the India A squad for the two-match series against the England Lions, starting on May 30. This inclusion was seen as a stepping stone toward his return to the senior team, especially with the Test squad set to undergo a transition following the retirements of several senior players.

 

What also works in Nair’s favor is his prior experience of playing county cricket in England, which gives him valuable insight into the conditions the team will face during the five-match series. With his ability to anchor innings and adapt to swinging conditions, Nair is seen as a dependable middle-order option as India looks to build a fresh Test core for the new World Test Championship cycle.

11:41 AM

India Test squad announcement live updates: No Shami for England tour?

According to reports, senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami is unlikely to be part of India’s squad for the upcoming Test series against England. Concerns over his fitness have played a key role in this decision. The BCCI Medical Team has reportedly informed the selectors that Shami is currently not in a condition to handle the demands of long bowling spells typically required in Test cricket. As a result, the selectors are expected to take a cautious approach and may leave him out of the squad to avoid the risk of aggravating his condition during the high-intensity series.

 

11:30 AM

India Test squad announcement live updates: What will the batting order look like?

India’s opening combination for the first Test against England at Leeds, starting June 20, is likely to feature KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan is emerging as a strong candidate for the backup opener role, thanks to his impressive domestic and IPL performances.

 

There’s still some uncertainty around the middle-order slots, with selectors reportedly considering Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan, and Shreyas Iyer as potential options for an extra specialist batsman. Each brings a unique skill set and domestic experience, which could be vital in English conditions.

 

Rishabh Pant is expected to retain his role as the team’s primary wicketkeeper. His comeback has strengthened the batting lineup, while Dhruv Jurel, who impressed in recent outings, is likely to continue as the backup keeper.

 

One of the most significant transitions for India comes at the No. 4 spot—a position once dominated by legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. That crucial responsibility now seems set to fall on the shoulders of the new captain, Shubman Gill, marking a bold step in India's red-ball rebuild.

11:20 AM

India Test squad announcement live updates: Bumrah's workload management to be kept in mind!

Jasprit Bumrah, who previously captained India during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Rohit Sharma’s absence and was the best player for the Indian side, is not likely lead the side in the upcoming Test series against England. The selectors have decided against handing him the captaincy in order to carefully manage his workload and preserve his fitness for the key matches ahead.

 

According to reports, Bumrah has already communicated to the BCCI and the selection committee that his body is not equipped to handle the physical demands of a full five-match Test series. As per a report by *The Indian Express*, the pace spearhead has made it clear that he can only commit to playing a maximum of three Tests in the series.

 

With his fitness being a top priority, the team management is keen to use him strategically to avoid the risk of injury, especially considering his importance across all formats for India.

 

11:11 AM

India Test squad announcement live updates: Who will lead the side?

As India gears up for a new chapter in Test cricket, the spotlight shifts to life beyond Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. With both stalwarts having announced their retirement from the longest format, all eyes are now on the leadership transition. If recent reports are accurate, Shubman Gill is expected to take over as India's new Test captain. Though still young, Gill brings valuable leadership experience and is seen as a long-term investment for Indian cricket.

 

This change signals a generational shift, as India prepares to field a relatively young squad for the upcoming five-match series against Ben Stokes’ England. The upcoming tour marks the beginning of a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, making it a crucial phase in the team’s red-ball journey.

 

Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, and newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir face a significant challenge: identifying the right mix of youth and experience to carry Indian Test cricket forward. With established names stepping aside, there is now room for emerging talent to step up, gain exposure in challenging overseas conditions, and begin shaping the next core of Indian red-ball cricket.

11:00 AM

India Test squad announcement live updates

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of India Test captain and squad announcement for India's tour of England 2025, which begins on June 20.