Cheteshwar Pujara Anticipates Defining India-England Test Series

As the Indian Test team prepares for a significant tour of England, Cheteshwar Pujara highlights the importance of this series for the future of Indian cricket. He expresses optimism about the young squad led by Shubman Gill, who will face the challenges of playing in England. With the absence of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, this series marks a new chapter for the team. Pujara's insights underscore the historical significance of the India-England rivalry and the potential for setting new benchmarks in the sport.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 29, 2025, 13:22 IST

Pujara Highlights the Importance of the Upcoming Series

As the Indian Test team prepares for its crucial tour of England, batter Cheteshwar Pujara emphasizes that this series could be pivotal for the future of Indian cricket.

In a recent campaign by Sony Sports titled 'Naya India, Dhakad India', Pujara spoke about the historical context and significant challenges posed by the India-England rivalry, especially when played in England.

"The Test series between India and England has always served as a true test of a team's resilience and adaptability," Pujara remarked.

"Over the past century, India has only secured victory in 3 out of 19 series on English soil, underscoring the difficulty of this competition," he added.

Pujara Optimistic About Shubman Gill's Leadership

India's performance in England illustrates the tough conditions and strategic challenges of Test cricket in that region, which have historically troubled even the strongest Indian teams. However, Pujara is optimistic that the current squad, under the leadership of the young and talented Shubman Gill, can create a new legacy.

"This tour signifies a crucial turning point for Indian cricket with a youthful and energetic team," he stated.

"I am eager to see how this group rises to the challenge and establishes new standards for future players," he expressed.

This series will also mark Shubman Gill's first outing as Test captain. Gill, recognized as one of India's most promising talents across all formats, will face a significant leadership challenge against an England team known for its aggressive 'Bazball' style.

Key Details About the England Test Series

The series against England is scheduled from June to August 2025, featuring matches at Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Lord's (London), Old Trafford (Manchester), and The Oval (London).

This will be India's first bilateral series following the recent retirements of both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket earlier this month.

India's Test squad for the England series includes: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.