Shubman Gill Debuts as Test Captain for India

India A and England A have started an unofficial Test series in Canterbury to prepare for India's upcoming five-match Test tour of England, which also marks the beginning of a new World Test Championship cycle. Shubman Gill debuts as India's Test captain following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Senior team hopefuls, including India A captain Abhimanyu Easwaran, are using these matches to secure spots in the main squad. England A, led by James Rew and featuring young talents like Rehan Ahmed, are also evaluating players ahead of the senior series. England's recent win over Zimbabwe exposed both strengths and uncertainties in their lineup, particularly in batting roles. The outcome of the A series will influence both teams' selections for the Test series starting June 20 in Leeds.