India's New Era Begins: Gambhir and Gill Inspire Ahead of England Test Series

Inspiring Leadership Ahead of England Tour

As India prepares for a five-Test series against England in the UK, head coach Gautam Gambhir and newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill delivered a motivational talk. Gambhir praised batter Karun Nair for his resilient 'never-give-up' spirit, which has led to his return to the Test squad after an eight-year hiatus.

A New Chapter in India's Test Cricket

This tour marks the beginning of India's ICC World Test Championship cycle for 2025-27 and signifies a fresh start, especially with the retirement of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, along with Ravichandran Ashwin stepping away from international cricket. The first Test is set to commence at Leeds on June 20.

Gambhir's Praise for Nair's Comeback

In a video shared on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) website, Gambhir remarked, 'Comebacks are never easy. Nair's phenomenal performance last year, coupled with his relentless attitude, has earned him a spot back in the team. Welcome, Karun.'

Nair's Stellar Domestic Season

Nair's return comes after an impressive domestic season, where he scored 863 runs in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, averaging 53.93 with four centuries and two fifties across 16 innings. His best score of 135 was achieved in the final, leading his team to victory. Additionally, he amassed 259 runs in three innings during warm-up matches against England Lions.

Outstanding Performance in Vijay Hazare Trophy

A standout moment for Nair was his performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he scored 779 runs in nine matches at an impressive average of 389.50, including five centuries and a top score of 163*. His contributions were pivotal in his team's journey to the finals.

Gambhir Highlights Other Talents

Gambhir also commended Sai Sudharsan, the Gujarat Titans opener who secured the Orange Cap in the IPL, scoring 759 runs in 15 matches. He expressed confidence in Sudharsan's potential for a successful red-ball career. Sudharsan has accumulated 1,957 runs in 29 first-class matches, averaging 39.93.

Furthermore, Gambhir welcomed pacer Arshdeep Singh, who has excelled in white-ball cricket, being India's leading T20I wicket-taker with 99 wickets in 63 matches.

Embracing New Leadership

Gambhir also acknowledged Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant as part of the new leadership group. He emphasized the importance of viewing the absence of senior players as an opportunity to achieve greatness for the country. 'If we make sacrifices and step out of our comfort zones, we can build an extraordinary team,' he stated.

Gill's Call to Action

Gill encouraged his teammates to approach each practice session with purpose and to prepare for the challenges ahead. 'Let’s ensure every net session is meaningful and play every ball with intent,' he concluded.

Test Series Schedule

The series will take place from June to August 2025, with matches scheduled at various venues including Headingley in Leeds, Edgbaston in Birmingham, Lord's and The Oval in London, and Old Trafford in Manchester.

India's Test Squad for the England Series

The selected squad 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, and Kuldeep Yadav.