Shubman Gill Leads India Test Team Amid Post-Kohli, Sharma Transition for England Tour

India's Test cricket team is undergoing a significant transition following the retirements of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Shubman Gill, at 25, has been appointed as the new Test captain, with Rishabh Pant as his deputy, as the team prepares for a challenging five-match series in England starting June 20. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized preserving key bowler Jasprit Bumrah's fitness by not assigning him captaincy duties, highlighting Gill's leadership potential demonstrated in the IPL. The squad includes promising newcomers like Sai Sudharsan and the return of experienced players such as Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur, while Mohammed Shami is sidelined due to injury. This series marks the beginning of a rebuilding phase for India ahead of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle, focusing on integrating new talent and adapting to future challenges. The selectors remain optimistic about the team's prospects under Gill's leadership despite the void left by the former stalwarts.