The stage is set for a thrilling Test series between India and England, with Shubman Gill leading the charge. India’s young guns are ready to take on the English conditions, which are notoriously tough for visiting teams. But with experienced players like Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, and Karun Nair in the mix, there’s a sense of optimism in the camp.
Sourav Ganguly, the former India captain, believes that the English conditions will be a test of character for the young Indian team. In an interview with RevSportz, he said, “Our young team did it in Australia when Rohit and Virat were not there. This is an opportunity for players like Shubman Gill, Sai Sudarshan, Abhimanyu, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Karun Nair to prove themselves. There’s no pressure on them, just a chance to learn and grow.”
One player who will be missed in the series is Shreyas Iyer, who has been in scintillating form over the past year. Ganguly feels that Iyer’s exclusion is a mistake, saying, “He’s been performing consistently, and he deserves to be in the team. He’s not a player who should be left out. He’s been playing well under pressure and has shown that he can handle responsibilities.”
Iyer’s Test record is impressive, with 811 runs in 24 innings at an average of 36.86, including a century and five half-centuries. His last Test appearance was against England in February 2024.
The Indian team for the series is:
Indian Team:
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain and Wicketkeeper)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudarshan
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
- Karun Nair
- Nitish Rana
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper)
- Washington Sundar
- Shardul Thakur
- Mohammad Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Aakash Deep
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
With the first Test scheduled to start on June 20, the Indian players have been training in England since June 7. It’s going to be a challenging series, but with the right mindset and teamwork, India can spring a surprise or two.